Won't start, is it the starter???

[knwebs]

I have been a boater for years and bought a 2002 GTX with under a 100 hrs last spring and geeze has it been a pain in my back side!!! Ceramic plate busted as probably most have experienced. Got that fixed but the jacks at the "certified" shop didn't clean out the oil pump....yep nearly blown the engine. So recap, bought seado and used it once got it fixed, messed up all summer in the shop. Got it out Labor day weekend got to use it two days on the water. Pull it out put in shop over the winter (heated shop) with trickle charger. Put in water this last weekend click, click. Take the seat off and put it back on it turns over and runs across the lake. Put on hydo lift in the slip. Get big boat ready to go out. Friend gets on seado click, click, click NO STARTY.

Please help me out here is it the starter and if so how much of a pain in the backside is it to fix yourself? The seado shop is an hour away and probably 5-6 weeks out again already. not to mention they're the ones that forgot to clean out the oil pump.... If its' something else please let me know and make me smile once bout this freaking ski PLEASE PLEASE.....

 

[ski-d00]

I'm confused. The 2002 model was not supercharged so you can't have ceramic washers, and for that matter, the 2003 did NOT have ceramic washers in the sc, it had metal. The 2004 model was the first year for ceramic washers. The last 2 digits of your HIN will tell the model year, are you sure it is a 2002?

Are you sure your battery is good? Not just 12v good, but been load tested good? The starters on the 4tecs have proven to be very reliable, even though the starting system turns the motor over fairly slowly. The 4tecs have to have good battery power to start, or they will just go click, click.

 

[knwebs]

Sorry, 2004 was a fat finger on my part. I will try another battery and see if that fixes it!! Gosh I SURE HOPE it does....

 

[nvycrmn]

any luck on this issue because BOTH of my skis are doing this! i have 2006 gti and 2006 wake, and both are "click click click". batteries are full of fluid, terminals cleaned, and both taken out of ski and put on charger...not sure what else to do.

 

[ski-d00]

If you are sure the batteries are good, or you are jumping it with a jumper pack, then it is probably your solenoid. Jump the terminals with a screwdriver to see if it cranks over or test for voltage. For some reason, around 2005-2006 models, I've replaced a bunch of solenoids that actually click so that they sound like they are working fine but they aren't making contact so it fools you unless you test with a voltmeter.

Last year SeaDoo redesigned their solenoid housing to be all plastic(all black) with a better seal than the old riveted together brown plastic to a metal plate. I think they saw lots of failures, even a higher failure rate than what was designed into the product.

 

[nvycrmn]

i will have to double check what the readout is for the voltmeter. its just weird that BOTH ski's are doing the same thing. cant imagine BOTH solenoids went out at the same time...

 

[ski-d00]

yes, a little odd that both are doing the same thing but only takes 5 minutes to check.

I doubt it's the starter, they are pretty reliable.

 

[nvycrmn]

im gonna have to have the father-in-law to it today. wife has the skis in Iowa while i finish up my tour of duty here in San Diego....lame! hahah

 

[nvycrmn]

so it turned out, both batteries were shot...got new ones and they are up and running! thanx for the help!!!!!

 

[knwebs]

Boys just so the rest of you guys know. The old battery would show 12.51V but when I hit start it went down to just under 9V. Replaced the battery and worked fine. So this is a easy test, even though you charged your battery leave the volt meter on it and hit start and see what the voltage changes to under load. They've got the funny named battery that starts with a Y like Yusana or something but you can go to any interstate battery and they've got them in stock AND they have a great warranty just ensure they mark on top when you buy them. My experience with batteries in marine usage then NEVER last as long so get the prorate when they go bad...

 

[seadooman55]

look out jump starting your ski!! the owner before be fried the ECU jumping the ski with his jumper pack. The ECUs don't like any changes in voltage or amps other then a nice charged battery.