2001 Seadoo GTI starting issue

[Leedanger]

Got a 01' SeaDoo GTI that has been giving me a headache and I'm hoping someone could help lead me in the right direction.

So when I plug in the key it does the normal beep, then 50/50 when I push the starter it either warning beeps even louder and won't crank or cranks very sluggishly. The weird part is if I pull the plugs and ground the wires on the post then crank it, the sound and strength of the crank is much smoother. My guess would have been bad ground but unless there are others that I have missed they all seem to check out.

Thanks

 

[frozenokie]

Re: 2001 Seadoo GTI starting issue

Sounds similar to the starter problem I had on my 97 GTX shortly after buying it in July of this year. Had to tear the starter down (which wasn't difficult) and clean the nasties out of it so that the correct amperage reached the plugs. Only difference is that on mine, it started fine the whole time, then BLAP - it didn't turn at all.

Hope this help diagnose yours. But I would think if it's anything like the 787, you could have that starter off, cleaned, and back on in a couple hours

 

[Leedanger]

Re: 2001 Seadoo GTI starting issue

I have a tendency to agree with you, somewhere along the line it is losing amperage, but I don't understand why it would crank fine without the plugs in. I am gonna start with a starter rebuild, but I suspect possibly timing may be an issue as well.

 

[frozenokie]

Re: 2001 Seadoo GTI starting issue

Oh... I didn't catch that about turning over w/o plugs in. In that case, shouldn't be a starter. But still could be gummed up inside it and robbing your amps. And , of course, I'm sure you checked the battery electrolites? Or is it a newer battery?

 

[Leedanger]

Re: 2001 Seadoo GTI starting issue

Ya...I've check the easy and obvious I think anyway, I hope it's just something I am overlooking. I remember reading a post from somebody a couple of times saying to shorten the spark plug wire like a 1/4 inch at a time...anyone know more about this tactic and why it works?

 

[frozenokie]

Re: 2001 Seadoo GTI starting issue

I have seen before where just the oil that is around the plug holes, when the plugs are removed, can cause bad grounding too. I bet you've cleaned it already though.

As far as shortening the wires... All I can think of is the fact of the ski bouncing around on waves weakens the inner core of the wire especially if the wire(s) are turned or kinked sharply to make their way onto the connections, and you can't get the right amount of charge through the wire when your resistance of the wire goes to crap. I assume the shortening of the wires would be at the coil end since doing the other end defeats the ability to clip them to the plugs?

Sounds like it might just work for ya. I'm curious if that fixes it if you attempt... Please let me know the outcome

 

[The Rooster]

Re: 2001 Seadoo GTI starting issue

+1 for "Okie".

 

[frozenokie]

Re: 2001 Seadoo GTI starting issue

Hey thanks Rooster - I appreciate that comment

 

[Leedanger]

Re: 2001 Seadoo GTI starting issue

Sorry, I forgot to update. Turns out so far to have just been corroded spark plug wires. The connection of the boot was all carbon black....

 

[frozenokie]

Re: 2001 Seadoo GTI starting issue

Sweet. Nice to find little problems and not big ones

 

[Fireman431]

Re: 2001 Seadoo GTI starting issue

Sounds similar to the starter problem I had on my 97 GTX shortly after buying it in July of this year. Had to tear the starter down (which wasn't difficult) and clean the nasties out of it so that the correct amperage reached the plugs.

Yea...I remember Okie having this problem

If you took the plugs out, of course it's going to spin faster and stronger...you're not trying to overcome the compression of the engine.