1997 Sea-Doo GTX starter issue 1.0

It's ALWAYS something with a boat! 1997 Sea-Doo GTX 787cc with around 80 hours.
Issue: Won't start when trying to entertain guests.
- Clicking sound from solenoid box & a whining from the starter.
As you all are WELL aware the minimum labor charge to work on any boat can put a serious dent in your wallet! Let's see if we can resolve this issue ourselves.
Thanks for your time :)

[@burkminipup]

I've fixed this on my ski twice. There's three possibilities, but for me it was always the starter. Option 1: bad battery, however, generally this will mean the electronics won't come on or anything when you insert the key. You might also hear the starter try to turn. Option 2: bad solenoid. This is found in the starter relay, which will be in an air tight box. This is also probably the root of the sound. This costs $15-20 on the internet. I replaced this first because it was easier and cheaper, before buying a new starter. Option 3: bad starter. This can fail anytime the starter gets wet or flooded, which was easy in my case because its located near he bottom of the hull and is exposed (has some o-rings to prevent water getting into the spindle. I've replaced this twice (Same exact noise) and worked both times. Cost me about $40-50 on the internet. It was a little bit of a pain to install, but I didn't have to remove the engine.

[@WJansen]

Hi There! Nice video on the Seadoo! You right about the problem Water/Boats in particular jetski's. All the jets got a open Exhaust system what seems to give engine corrosion and is the cause for the main problems with Jets. Like this one, your engine probably stuck on corrosion. If you still using this jetski today you might want to check you pistons and crankshaft bearrings to be sure. For a quick check i recommend to do a pressure check on your pistons (ebay 20 dollars) must be above 110 psi. And you probably know, but if you drop some oil down the bougie holes before you try next time, you be sure to not damage the engine. or less :) I got love for the hobby, and i also got Howto Video's about it (dont want to ask attention for it on your channel) But if you need to know anything about seadoo's just ask! Keep on dropping Seadoo video's mate! Greets from holland!

[@skippyh2o]

Typical from a starter bendix rusting. The bendix will stay engaged and lock up the engine. Good job freeing it up!

[@chinoramos9629]

Hey mine wasent doing the click noise I changed the selonid and ended up getting the same click noise and I tried to free it like it didn’t want turn the original way it spins so I turn it back wards and did free it a little and wanted to start but once it goes back to the normal gets stuck hard to free it

[@robertmogel1507]

So my 1999 gtx limited when I go to start it though the starter is spinning but not engaging to the flywheel what’s the solution? ( brand new starter and brand new solenoid btw)

[@bmohamed3423]

So what was the fix ? I’ve replaced the starter and I’m still having same issue. Just a click like the starter is seized

[@GoRogue84]

If you search through the comments I have answered the question in a bit more detail before. Short answer - the problem is cracked or missing teeth on the flywheel. This is what the starter engages into. Since the flywheel is larger and has more teeth than the starter it will work several times once freed up until the damaged flywheel teeth make it back around randomly and catch with the teeth of the starter. The long term fix is to pull and replace the entire flywheel. Unfortunately not quick and easy, but is the root cause of the issue. Best of luck!

[@monkeybut333]

where did u buy ur battery switch?

[@bryanmoniz9524]

I have a 1993 sea doo spx starter locks up just like you are talking about. i brake it loose it starts fine for a while and then it locks up again and i cant even turn the motor over it just clicks please help i pull the started out many time and even bought a another starter same problem

[@GoRogue84]

Bryan, I have been planning to make a follow-up video going over the solution to the problem. I went though the same process, replaced the starter only to have the problem repeat. So what was the end result? - the flywheel! There are 2 basic scenarios that can occur. 1. If the unit has been flooded/submerged in water at any point in time - water can enter the flywheel housing & develop sludge/rust which in turn inhibits rotation (locking everything up). 2. The teeth on the flywheel can break/crack/ wear down to the point that when the flywheel rotates back to that point, the starter teeth will lock against them & not disengage. Since there are many more teeth on the flywheel than there are on the starter the problem becomes Intermittent (only locks up when the broken flywheel teeth make there way around to the starter teeth). - this was the issue with mine. I have since replaced the flywheel and have had no further issue. Hope this helps, -GoRogue84

[@Blueovalnation]

I have the opposite issue i think. Start button makes no noise when push it to start mine, if i ground the starter solenoid if will turn over and fire up. The button seemed to stop working after i took on a bunch of water. I replaced the solenoid just because cheap and hoped it would fix issue. My starter looks pretty rusted though idk what the hell to check

[@scottylewis13]

Mine just did this. did you ever figure it out ?

[@Blueovalnation]

Scott Lewis yeah literally after letting it air dry out and starting with a wrench “at the solenoid” it ended up working again fine.

[@Blueovalnation]

Scott Lewis once it got power again it just started working, I cleaned the battery internals and everything and eventually it just started working

[@Blueovalnation]

Scott Lewis once it got power again it just started working, I cleaned the battery internals and everything and eventually it just started working

[@clydejones442]

My deacon Doo will not make any sound. I put clean gas in and new spark plugs and good oil. Nothing

[@Queloqueloco]

Please help mine cranks with the plugs out but with them in it makes that noise

[@christophershirk489]

mine just won’t make no noise at all but it will turn over when i jump the solenoid??? what could it be

[@chaoscobraflashbacks5044]

Solenoid

[@clydejones442]

My deacon Doo will not make any sound. I put clean gas in and new spark plugs and good oil. Nothing!

[@quirino18]

not sure if you still around but i got a question, My ski same model as yours but on my on my it does crank but very weak, i use a Charger at 10a or 40amp and let it charge for a few minutes and it turns on, Battery was bought 3 months ago how can i tell if its a battery problem? i test voltage and is good 13.5v but for some reason it needs More Juice than normal to Crank! any ideas? Thanks

[@GoRogue84]

A ‘Slow crank” can be a result of multiple things. You can get a battery tester to rule out the battery pretty quickly (the tester will test under load which is the most important). Auto parts store will do this for free if you don’t have a tester. From there You should diagnose the starter motor and solenoid. The bendix on the starter could be wearing out or the starter motor could be poorly grounded (the negative cable running to the starter could have a rusty/bad connection). I’d start with battery and starter first. - best of luck.

[@quirino18]

@@GoRogue84 battery says if voltage below 12.5 recharge and i read 13.5V seems like is not getting enough amps! i also got it connected to a battery Tender at 2amp Tender shows fully Charged, it also has a light for Faulty battery which is not lighting up! but i see what your saying a test at the auto parts will check CCA Lets say the Battery its Fine, what are the other reasons that could be causing this? to give you a bit more details, about 3 years ago i got flooded about half ways! Cover was letting all the water in, i drained all the water and sprayed it with anti corrosion silicone and all plugs and terminals i then bought a battery to test it and turned on just fine and its been working ever since but i wonder if my starter may have some corrosion internally that may be causing this problem

[@GoRogue84]

@@quirino18 starter, or starter solenoid would be next items to troubleshoot. Based on your symptoms I would lean towards the starter itself (or a bad connection). Look up videos about how to test the starter and ‘ bypassing the solenoid’ if you haven’t done these things before. Pretty simple and no special tools required. I will be honest, I probably replaced the starter 4 times on my GTX and was “usually” the cause of related issues.

[@quirino18]

@@GoRogue84 after going over your comments and my thoughts there is a good possibility that the cable to the starter may be corroded after if was in water for a couple of months! thats going to be the first thing to check! thanks for your help! ill let you know ones i figure the problem what was causing a slow crank Thanks

[@stroke0187]

So my solenoid was buzzing. When i crossed the post it would not turn the engine over. Took the plugs out and crossed the post on the solenoid and it barely turns the engine over. You think it is a bad starter?

[@GoRogue84]

Most likely, yes. Try using a jump pack just to ensure it’s not just a bad battery. I have had brand new batteries out of the box be bad and it created hours of pointless troubleshooting. Best of luck.

[@stroke0187]

@@GoRogue84 i had a good battery and a battery charger on high/start and it still wouldnt turn the engine over with the plugs in it .

[@GoRogue84]

stroke0187 - just a random thought, make sure your drive shaft isn’t being held up, grass/fishing line etc. if it spins freely by hand but hardly at all using a jump pack I’d start with the starter.

[@stroke0187]

@@GoRogue84 yes i never thought of that. Its been out of the water since 2010 but thst doesnt mean something still could be in there. Thanks!!!!!!!

[@chaoscobraflashbacks5044]

@@GoRogue84 would a bad propeller installed cause the shadt to not move?

[@shpzeller4919]

GoRogue84 - did you find out the "easy fix"?

[@luisworld911]

You should be running water on that what a way to take care of you ski

[@codysinclair7204]

No lose wire, starters mostly good, but your solenoid might be busted, or highcompresson, or water logged from the piston

[@GoRogue84]

I have replied to a few comments on the “root cause” already (see prior replies for in depth description). Issue was broken/corroded flywheel teeth. Starter teeth would jam into the broken flywheel teeth and lock up. New flywheel required. Problem solved.

[@codysinclair7204]

@@GoRogue84 nice! Do you remember if it had high compression? If so mine is making that same noise, we've replaced the starter, I'll have to look into that

[@ryanjohnson8340]

To change the flywheel, did you have to pull the engine?

[@GoRogue84]

Ryan Johnson ~ not required to remove motor. You will need a flywheel puller tool and some patience. It isn’t a ton of fun, but can be done “engine in.’

[@stdavross666]

starter contactor good , starter motor bad, text book stuff, easy peazy

[@michaelwheeler1377]

Starter magnets brakes up in side and jams starter

[@michaelgreene7385]

The same thing happened to mine, I put it back together, spins fine, but the Bendix is lazy on it, so I bought a new one. May get the old one rebuilt.

[@billybobbussnesman6011]

Has this happened again to you Mine just did it yesterday for the first time

[@marcsolorzan9487]

An Easter solution would be take out the spark plugs and then send power to the starter.

[@marcsolorzan9487]

Easier

[@qy22]

on my jetski it was turning over fine and running good then today i went to turn it over and it turned over fine and started then it stalled out and started turning over slowly,supposingly there’s a new battery and starter in it but it sounds weak idk if it’s the starter or battery

[@bboymime316]

Start with starter relay solenoid. Just did it on my 93 gts and starts fast and strong with original starter. Pretty quick and cheapest fix to do

[@FOLTV]

@@bboymime316 where did u order that from?

[@bboymime316]

@@FOLTV I ordered it from Amazon but ebay works too

[@gavinkralik4694]

solenoid

[@Craigjordan121]

Broken teeth on the flywheel.

[@GoRogue84]

You are correct, this was the issue. Replacing the flywheel solved the problem!

[@BroKenskull316]

Dude its your battery they only last maybe a year 2 years if your really lucky

[@sparke1999]

18 years old time for a newer one.

[@donaldcampbell2828]

Mark C why ?