7 replies to this topic

[Kevin Leclair]

Kevin,

Thanx for the welcome. This is my first post ever so hope this goes right.

I've got a perplexing problem with a 1998 Speedster. At low speed, usually idle but sometimes at 2000-2500 rpm, it loses ALL electric (both engines, gauges, everything) and this usually happens when I am docking which with no steering makes things a bit exciting. This is accompanied by a series of beeps (real aggrivating).

Usually I can jiggle the kill switch a bit (though I'm not convinced that is the problem) and (with some more beeps), everything will come back on and it'll fire up again - usually. It gets grumpy sometimes and I have to repeat the process a couple of times but it wll restart eventually. It only happens at low speed/rpm. At about 1/2 throttle and beyond, everything works great. I've looked at the kill switch and it passed a continuity test. Also if it was actually something physically wrong with the switch it would happen at times other than at idle. LIke I said I'm not convinced that's the problem.

I got the boat without an operator manual so I'm -unfortunately - kind of feeling my way through this. Also I've searched without success for some sort of Speedster manual or wiring schematic so I could troubleshoot it. I've talked to the local Sea-Doo dealer who said Sea-Doo told them that they couldn't even let someone look at the repair manual and to bring it in. That sounds mostly like dealer BS, but from what I've read about Sea-Doo dealers on the various chats I visit I wonder.

I assume it is something to do with the kill switch/system, obviously, but what? Is there a sensor somewhere that's doing this? Why only at low speed/rpm? I've read that a low battery charge will do this, but the boats (referred to in the messages) were EFI (Mine has carbs).

Anything you can tell me I would greatly appreciate.

Thanks

Heem

[tiggerman]

Welcome to the board Heem!
Does this loss of power happen when the wheel is turned a particular way? Can you turn on the bilge blower when this happens? Is the DESS post clean and free of corrosion, as well as the DESS lanyard? If it shuts down, can you move the shifter to N and get one short beep? It would help to know how many beeps it gives you when this happens, because they mean something. If you remove the lanyard and put it back on, with the shifter in N it should give you 2 short beeps.
You can get an owners manual AND shop manual off eBay from a seller named fzr100. He sells the owners manual for about $10, and the shop manual on CD for $20.
Check the easy things first- cable connections to the battery, connections to the start/stop buttons under the console, etc.... Hope this helps a little

[tiggerman]

Got your message Heem.
If, when you move the shifter to N from any other place and you get the single beep, this is normal and tells you that it is OK to crank the engines. The 3 beep sequence (if that is what it is) I have no clue-the 2 beeps when you place the DESS on the post in N is normal. If you get an 8 beep sequence, that means the MPEM has failed or is failing. Sounds like a short or a loose wire to me. Let us know what happens after you fiddle with it tonight. Post here for everyone to see!

[Heem]

Got your message Heem.
If, when you move the shifter to N from any other place and you get the single beep, this is normal and tells you that it is OK to crank the engines. The 3 beep sequence (if that is what it is) I have no clue-the 2 beeps when you place the DESS on the post in N is normal. If you get an 8 beep sequence, that means the MPEM has failed or is failing. Sounds like a short or a loose wire to me. Let us know what happens after you fiddle with it tonight. Post here for everyone to see!

Ok, while I am still trying to train my TAB finger, but I can be taught.

Now to show my Ignorance: the MPEM you referred to is the Electronic Module mounted inside the engine compartment behind the rear seats, yes?

Hope you're right about it being a loose wire.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Heem

[tiggerman]

Yep , that is the MPEM. I hope it is a loose connection as well.

[Heem]

Got your message Heem.
If, when you move the shifter to N from any other place and you get the single beep, this is normal and tells you that it is OK to crank the engines. The 3 beep sequence (if that is what it is) I have no clue-the 2 beeps when you place the DESS on the post in N is normal. If you get an 8 beep sequence, that means the MPEM has failed or is failing. Sounds like a short or a loose wire to me. Let us know what happens after you fiddle with it tonight. Post here for everyone to see!

Took the boat out last night. After a warm up, it hit about 62 MPH at 6500 RPM at full tilt, if the speedo is right.
Found the manual guy on EBay so that's coming.
Anyway, the beeps are all normal. So hopefully no problem with the module. But situation normal - it still loses electric and dies at idle/slow speed.
So now I'm going to pull the battery out and have it tested.
Thanks for your help. I'll keep you posted.
Heem

[tiggerman]

Alright then. I forgot to ask, what is the idle speed when in the water? After warm up, the idle speed should be 1000-1300 RPM when the boat is in the water. It will always be up around 3000 RPM when running it on the trailer with the hose connected to it. I still think it could be something with the DESS. At idle, my boat has alot of vibration that could translate to the DESS not making contact all the time.
When you come off throttle, how long will it run before it just dies?

[Heem]

Alright then. I forgot to ask, what is the idle speed when in the water? After warm up, the idle speed should be 1000-1300 RPM when the boat is in the water. It will always be up around 3000 RPM when running it on the trailer with the hose connected to it. I still think it could be something with the DESS. At idle, my boat has alot of vibration that could translate to the DESS not making contact all the time.
When you come off throttle, how long will it run before it just dies?

The boat idles at about 1300. The time from going from idle to shut down varies usually from 1-3 minutes -I'm guessing. It does everytime. Some times it will restart immediately only to die moments/minutes later.

Understand your comments about the DESS, but there's also a fair amount of vibration while underway so it seems like if it was the problem it should continue to screw up at just about any time. That said though, it's not out of the suspect lineup yet.

I always come back to the "why only at low speed/RPM" question. This seems to point to a voltage "cascade" problem.

So I'm having the battery checked based on other posts about low charge and low RPMs cascading into some sort of system shutdown.

Thanks Again
Heem