• This site contains eBay affiliate links for which Sea-Doo Forum may be compensated.

Won't turn over

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

Dans97challenger

New Member
I tried starting my 97 Challenger today and it started for a minute and then stalled out. After that it just clicks now at the relay in the MPEM box. Has this happened to anyone else before? Is it just the starter relay that needs to be replaced? I am trying to trade it so I need to figure out what it is quick before the snow arrives here. If anyone can help me please let me know.

Thanks,
Dan
 
Battery....

Dan, sounds like your battery may be in need of a charge. If you think it's o.k., take it to your local auto parts store and they'll load test it for free....

But, if your battery is o.k., then you may be looking for a ground.........check all your battery wires and wires leading into the solenoid........:cheers:
 
Thanks man. The battery is brand new I just bought it today. I did check all the wires but I am going to double check them again to make sure everthing is ok. I really think it is the starter solenoid though because the solenoid is only putting out 4 volts to the starter when I hit the start button. I checked that to see the volts. I would imagine it should be putting at least 6+ volts to the starter. Anyone else have any ideas?? When I put the DESS Key on it, it does beep twice so i know everything is ok there. Would it beep less than twice with a bad starter solenoid?
 
Battery?....

You said the battery was new. Did you pre-charge it before trying to use it? I know some batteries are good to go, right out of the box. But, I've found that's not really the case.

The reason I didnt' think it was the solenoid was because you said you started it, then when it stalled, it just clicked.

If you think it's the solenoid, take off the cover on the electrical box and with two screwdrivers, touch one to each post. Then, cross the screwdrivers till they make contact. This is "jumping" the solenoid. If the engine spins over then try again with the start button. If it does not, then it's probably the solenoid.

Also, check the small wire that controls the solenoid from the start/stop swith.....:cheers:
 
What does the battery read when you hit the start button?
Start at the battery and work your way forward to the starter until the voltage goes from 12v to 4v and you have found your problem!!!
 
Dans97challenger said:
I am trying to trade it so I need to figure out what it is quick before the snow arrives here.
Click to expand...

Dan, you trading off your challenger already?

I'd agree with others on here that the batt sounds suspect... If it has a bad cell, it'll read 12V until you put a load on it, then it'll drop through the floor.

EZ way to verify, pull the battery from your truck and plop it into the boat :)
 
had same problem last week with ma boat..replaced the relay, still same, ended up being bad cable from relay to starter...$50 lesson, to check easy crap first.:(
 
Thanks guys when I get out of work today I am going to try to jump the starter relay. If that doesn't work I will check all the wires first.
 
Thanks for the all the suggestions guys. I found the culprit and it was a bad starter! The dealer wanted $325 for a new one I almost died....Good thing Ebay was invented and I got it for $84 shipped!! I hate stealerships!! Thanks again guys I tested everything and I was getting 12v to the starter. I took the starter off and gave it direct power from the battery and it wouldn't budge!
 
hey dan...with it being bad, see if you can take apart, found/read where a few times, the culprit was no more than a loose/corroded wire inside the housing...
 
Too late now. I already ordered the new one. I will give it to the kid that is getting the boat and let him mess with it. I just want to get the boat started and get that TL1000R in my garage asap.

By the way I replaced the relay as well. The original one was only show 4v and the new one was putting 12v so I think it was a combo of the relay and the starter!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Ok so I replaced the starter on the boat and it started right up again. It stalled 20 seconds later again and now it is doing the same thing it was before. I am going to replace the ground cables with a hope that is the problem. If I replace the cables and it still doesn't fix the problem it is going to Seadoo to get fixed.
 
Yay!!! that is great news!

Just kidding...

So you are getting crank no problem, 20 seconds run, stall, then click-click-click from the starter?

Try pulling the spark plugs and cranking it over, you might be getting vapor/hydro lock.

EDIT: Are you running on a hose? Maybe it is too much hose pressure? Again, try without spark plugs and without the hose running.
 
When I tried to start it last I didn't even have the hose hooked up yet. I just wanted to see if it would start before I put it on the hose. It is doing the same thing as before and the starter isn't engaging. I have to figure out what is wrong with this boat because I want to get that bike asap. I am going to try a couple things this weekend and if that doesn't work it is going to a Seadoo Dealer to get fixed.
 
Hey guys!! It has been a while since I have been on here. After all of this I finally dropped it off to get fixed. Come to find out the motor had to be pulled. The Flywheel is junk and needs to be replaced. Thanks for all of your suggestions on what it could have been. But the new starter I bought also didn't have enough torque to turn the motor over because the mechanic put a used Seadoo starter on it and it turned the motor right over with no problem.
 
Yeh Dan, those eBay starters are junk, tried them a few times and failed me every time!
What can go wrong with the fly wheel (apart from cogs missing)
 
Exactly the teeth are all chewed up and some are missing. So I need to get a new flywheel and I am having that new starter rebuilt for more torque.
 
Never buy an aftermarket starter. They are all junk. Only use OEM. Here's a tip: if you can't afford to do it right, how will you be able to afford to do it over. Here in Canada, those OEM starters are over $500.

Chester
 
Spending $500 on a starter seems ludicrous.
It isn't like this is a high torque engine... heck, I can turn it over with my hand... can't say that of the V8 in my truck, and I'm very happy with the autozone aftermarket starter in that... $60.

I think we just need a better supplier of aftermarket parts for boats... I wouldn't buy a starter for my truck from fleabay, nor for my boat. I also wouldn't buy a boat starter from any manufacturer that says the warrantee is void if it is submerged... Its on a boat!
 
Chester that was a smartass remark that didn't need to be said. Live and learn I guess. But when Seadoo told me $325 for a starter and I found one on Ebay for $85 shipped how was I to know it was a piece of junk. I would never pay $325 for a starter ever in my life so I am paying for it the hard way. That is ok because who ever said I couldn't afford to do it right. I was trying to save myself some money. I guess the economy isn't affecting some people like it is effecting others.
 
Even $325 is way too much. I'd rather rebuild the old OEM one, unless the motor windings are shot it should be doable, just get new brushes and new supply wires, and if the bendix gear is as chewed up as the flywheel, replace that too...
 
Dans97challenger said:
Chester that was a smartass remark that didn't need to be said. Live and learn I guess. But when Seadoo told me $325 for a starter and I found one on Ebay for $85 shipped how was I to know it was a piece of junk. I would never pay $325 for a starter ever in my life so I am paying for it the hard way. That is ok because who ever said I couldn't afford to do it right. I was trying to save myself some money. I guess the economy isn't affecting some people like it is effecting others.
Click to expand...

I apologize Dan.:blush:
I should have said that you would have been better off rebuilding your starter or buying a used OEM one off ebay. I didn't mean to disrespect you and I'm sorry if I did.
My reputation rides on my workmanship and therefore, I only use the highest quality parts. I can't afford to have a customer stranded on the ocean or on a lake because I used an inferior part.

Chester
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Yeah I have learned my lesson to never buy a starter off ebay again. It isn't even rebuildable so I had to mail the stock Denzo starter to my mechanic so he can rebuild that. It sucks that it is a waiting game and I am all set with owning a boat after this. I just got the thing last fall and so far over $1000 worth of work. Isn't worth it to me to own a boat with this much upkeep.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
1997 Seadoo GTX Start Relay
Replies
9
Views
818
Solo2882
S
L
Won’t start please help!
Replies
2
Views
223
ski-d00
ski-d00
M
2008 Challenger 180 RUN Issue
Replies
2
Views
265
MichiganSportster
M
B
Crank ring bent
Replies
5
Views
125
mikidymac
mikidymac
Flying seafood
Charging
Replies
0
Views
108
Flying seafood
Flying seafood
Back
Top