Sea-Doo RX: No beep when lanyard attached, won't start

[1145climber]

I have a 2000 Sea-Doo RX that I was hoping you could help me with. After not using it for a year, the battery died and wouldn’t hold charge. I replaced it with a new battery, charged it, and went to start up the jetski. However, when I put the lanyard key onto the little knob / post, the Sea-Doo did not give the usual two beeps (though the instrument LCD display did turn on to show the time). When I pressed the red start/stop starter button, nothing happened. Even after cleaning off the contacts inside my two keys, I couldn’t get the Sea-Doo to beep when either of the keys are attached.

I tried the advanced self-diagnostic test and here’s what happened: After five presses of the start button, there was a short beep followed by a long beep. Then, one of three things would happen:

1. Without putting the lanyard on, I press the start button: the ski beeps twice
2. I put on the lanyard, and then press the start button: the ski beeps twice (same as pressing the start button without putting on the lanyard)
3. Sometimes though, after I put on the lanyard and then press the start button, the ski beeps three times

What do these results mean?

Another thing I tried was shorting / jumping the starter relay in the rear electrical box. This caused the engine to turn over. Also, I checked all the fuses in the MPEM module and they were all okay. I checked the only fuse I could find in the rear electrical box and it was also okay.

To me it seems like the Sea-Doo “forget” the keys when it’s battery was dead for over a few months, and that it no longer recognizes their codes. The service rep at my local dealership told me over the phone that my starter relay is probably broken but I don’t agree with him because there’s a more fundamental problem here I think. It seems like all the electronics and engine would work fine if only the sea-doo recognized my key (even the computer and trim work, it just won't start)

Hopefully someone can help me?!? Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[kustomkarl]

Welcome to the sedoo forum 1145climber. Try using soap and water to clean the lanyard and post. Here is some information on the DESS post and some tests to check.
I would start by cleaning the Post on the safety lanyard. It is beeping and saying it isn't connecting to the Mpem, (Multi Purpose Electronic Module) It needs to beep 2 times to let you know it is ready to start. Clean the post and cap with soapy water. Don't use any grease of lubricant on it as it needs a clean connection to make contact. Connect the lanyard to see if it is making a connection. 2 beeps and it's ready to fire up.

Engine start/stop switch verification;
Disconnect the Yellow/Red wire of the start/stop switch. Using an ohmmeter, connect test probes to the Yellow/Red wire and to ground. Measure resistance, it must be an open circuit (switch is normally open). Depress and hold switch, the ohmmeter should read close to “0” ohm.

Safety Lanyard Switch Verification;
If 2 short beeps are not heard when installing the safety lanyard, disconnect the switch wires.
Safety lanyard removed;
connect the test probes to switch Black and Black/Yellow wires. It’s an open circuit, there should be no continuity.
Connect one test probe to the White/Gray wire and the other test probe to the switch terminal. Measure resistance, it should be “0” ohm. Connect one test probe to the Black wire and the other test probe to the switch ring. Measure resistance, it must be close to “0” ohm.
Safety lanyard on switch; connect the probes to switch Black and Black /Yellow wires. Measure resistance, it must be “0” ohm.
Timer Verification;
The timer is integrated into the MPEM. Always confirm that the fuses are in good condition. To confirm operation of timer, remove the safety lanyard from switch. After 5 seconds delay, depress start/stop button once. The timer should stay on for 33 seconds (for example, the gauge(s) will be activated) and than turn off.
Here is all the info on the DESS codes. It is possiable that you are getting a mixed code.
DESS Codes/ Beeps
2 Short beeps …the engine is ready to start
1 Long beep …no communication to MPEM
4 Short beeps… (on Jet Boats) Shifter is in gear
8 Short beeps…defective MPEM
1 Continual beep…engine over heating


Advanced Self- Diagnostic Mode


By pushing the start/stop button 5 times, you’re putting the DESS in advanced diagnostics. When you have successfully done this, you'll hear 1 short, 1 long beep then, put on the lanyard cap. The engines should start if everything is ok.

2 Short beeps means MPEM can’t read the lanyard cap or it has bad magnet. It could be a bad wire connection at the Lanyard switch.
2 Long beeps means wrong lanyard or bad connection of DESS connection
3 beeps signal the wiring harness of the DESS switch are grounded, or a short circuit somewhere.

You may have a bad connection in your wiring harness, from corrosion. Go through your electrical systems connectors and check for corrosion. Clean them with some contact cleaner, then die-electric grease.

To listen to the codes again start from the beginning.


I hope this helps.
Keep us posted on your progress.
Karl

 

[1145climber]

Welcome to the sedoo forum 1145climber. Try using soap and water to clean the lanyard and post. Here is some information on the DESS post and some tests to check.
I would start by cleaning the Post on the safety lanyard. It is beeping and saying it isn't connecting to the Mpem, (Multi Purpose Electronic Module) It needs to beep 2 times to let you know it is ready to start. Clean the post and cap with soapy water. Don't use any grease of lubricant on it as it needs a clean connection to make contact. Connect the lanyard to see if it is making a connection. 2 beeps and it's ready to fire up.

I have cleaned both the key contacts and the post contacts thoroughly so that they're shiny like new, but still no double-beep when I attach the lanyard.

Engine start/stop switch verification;
Disconnect the Yellow/Red wire of the start/stop switch. Using an ohmmeter, connect test probes to the Yellow/Red wire and to ground. Measure resistance, it must be an open circuit (switch is normally open). Depress and hold switch, the ohmmeter should read close to “0” ohm.

The red starter button switch itself works fine, as evidenced by the five-button press test working, and I also hit it with a multimeter.

Safety Lanyard Switch Verification;
If 2 short beeps are not heard when installing the safety lanyard, disconnect the switch wires.
Safety lanyard removed;
connect the test probes to switch Black and Black/Yellow wires. It’s an open circuit, there should be no continuity.
Connect one test probe to the White/Gray wire and the other test probe to the switch terminal. Measure resistance, it should be “0” ohm. Connect one test probe to the Black wire and the other test probe to the switch ring. Measure resistance, it must be close to “0” ohm.
Safety lanyard on switch; connect the probes to switch Black and Black /Yellow wires. Measure resistance, it must be “0” ohm.

These tests were all successful and there is nothing wrong with the wiring, at least from DESS post to the intermediate connection harness. I guess it's possible that the wires are lose in the final harness where they connect to the MPEM but I'm not sure how to test that...

Timer Verification;
The timer is integrated into the MPEM. Always confirm that the fuses are in good condition. To confirm operation of timer, remove the safety lanyard from switch. After 5 seconds delay, depress start/stop button once. The timer should stay on for 33 seconds (for example, the gauge(s) will be activated) and than turn off.

Counting out loud I got only to 25-mississippi but it's not like I can count perfectly... unless it would indicate an issue that the timer is slightly less than 33 seconds, I'm not sure it's necessary to time it with a watch

Here is all the info on the DESS codes. It is possiable that you are getting a mixed code.
DESS Codes/ Beeps
2 Short beeps …the engine is ready to start
1 Long beep …no communication to MPEM
4 Short beeps… (on Jet Boats) Shifter is in gear
8 Short beeps…defective MPEM
1 Continual beep…engine over heating

I get no beeps, so I'm not sure any of these help...

Advanced Self- Diagnostic Mode

By pushing the start/stop button 5 times, you’re putting the DESS in advanced diagnostics. When you have successfully done this, you'll hear 1 short, 1 long beep then, put on the lanyard cap. The engines should start if everything is ok.

2 Short beeps means MPEM can’t read the lanyard cap or it has bad magnet. It could be a bad wire connection at the Lanyard switch.
2 Long beeps means wrong lanyard or bad connection of DESS connection
3 beeps signal the wiring harness of the DESS switch are grounded, or a short circuit somewhere.

I get usually two short beeps and sometimes three short beeps. Not sure what exactly your explanations mean though...

You may have a bad connection in your wiring harness, from corrosion. Go through your electrical systems connectors and check for corrosion. Clean them with some contact cleaner, then die-electric grease.

I didn't see anything noticeably corroded...


I did a new test as well. I used a multimeter to measure the voltage on the yellow-red wire that plugs into the starter relay / solenoid inside the rear electronics box. At all times, it was at zero volts. I assume that it's supposed to go hot when the starter button is pressed, but it didn't. Whether the key was on or off, the button pressed or not, the yellow-red wire leading into the starter relay never went to 12 volts. Was this a productive test? If the starter relay works like I think it does, then this result means that the problem is not with the starter relay, but with either the key, the MPEM, or the MPEM output to the relay...

Someone please help me, I can't seem to solve this issue. Not only is the closest dealership far away from me, but it's also too expensive for me and I don't even have a car with a trailer hitch...

 

[kustomkarl]

You stated that you jumped across the starter relay and the starter engaged, which tells us the relay and starter is working ok. I would check the wiring from the MPEM to the main harness. The codes state that 3 beeps indicate that a short or bad ground in the harness. Check the connection of the harness, as that is what 3 beeps indicate. The MPEM is the hart beat of the electrical components. If the lanyard cap isn't communication to the MPEM then it won't allow any power to the starter relay or the starter.

You might think about joining as a premium member to be able to download or print off a seadoo manual for your model. It costs like $10.95 a month, and you can cancel any time after you get the manual you need from the library.
The manual has all the test needed and a wire diagram all the repair shops use to diagnose any and all problems with your seadoo.

Karl

 

[1145climber]

You stated that you jumped across the starter relay and the starter engaged, which tells us the relay and starter is working ok. I would check the wiring from the MPEM to the main harness. The codes state that 3 beeps indicate that a short or bad ground in the harness. Check the connection of the harness, as that is what 3 beeps indicate. The MPEM is the hart beat of the electrical components. If the lanyard cap isn't communication to the MPEM then it won't allow any power to the starter relay or the starter.

I'm not sure how to look for a "short or bad ground in the harness." Can someone elaborate more on how to troubleshoot my 3 beep advanced diagnostic code result?

You might think about joining as a premium member to be able to download or print off a seadoo manual for your model. It costs like $10.95 a month, and you can cancel any time after you get the manual you need from the library.
The manual has all the test needed and a wire diagram all the repair shops use to diagnose any and all problems with your seadoo.

Thanks, and I would sign up if I didn't already have it. Even the shop manual doesn't provide much insight for my specific problem besides the 2 and 3 beep advanced diagnostic test result...

Anyone else know of any other tests I could do to further narrow down the issue?

 

[timmyboy76]

your ski have a nuetral/forward/reverse selection?, maybe darn thing stuck. Same situation would happen in boats...

 

[Skatman]

Post....

Your DESS post on the ski is bad. You'll need to replace it. It's about $65 bucks. It's recognized by your mpem in communicating with the ROM chip in the lanyard cap. If the magnetics of the post is bad, you'll get the exact results your seeing now.....:cheers: