How to Fix a SeaDoo MPEM Diode

[@RobFilippini]

Not only did this fix our 1996 Seadoo, it was super educational and fun for my son and I to fix it. Many thanks for sharing your expertise. It is much appreciated.

[@jonparkmac]

Always glad to help. .. especially those generational bonding moments

[@markroyds6777]

Many thanks for this video, this repair fixed my sons 2000 Seadoo GS, we had heard bad things about aftermarket MPEM's and couldn't find a good second hand one, all up and going for under $10. Thanks again.

[@jonparkmac]

That's great. Glad to know it helped and saved you some $$

[@RusticNorthAdv]

Thanks Jonathan for your video, it was a great help! I just bought a 1997 GTI Seadoo as a father and son project. It came (not running) with the original and two aftermarket MPEMs. The back of the original MPEM had a blown out spot inline with the diode that you replaced in your video. The location lead me to think that my MPEM likely had the same issue. So, I took a chance and attempted a similar "surgery" today. When I opened up the cover and removed the potting, i found a scorched diode and circuit board. The diode, when tested, allowed flow in both directions and has now been replaced. I'm looking forward to putting the repaired MPEM in the GTI to try it out. Hopefully we'll get it installed and tested tomorrow. Thanks for sharing 😊

[@RusticNorthAdv]

Quick update. Today we installed the repaired MPEM, did some final checks, held our breath and hit the start button. It started up and ran on the third try! 😁😁😁 A great big THANK YOU Jonathan. Your video was a huge help, made me a bit of a hero and put a great big smile on me and my sons face. Cheers!👍

[@jonparkmac]

That's great to hear. Glad it helped.

[@Wave_Runner]

Great video! I just got my 787 3D out for the year and found the 5a fuse was blown. I replaced it and it’s running now but I wouldn’t be surprised if I have to do this soon. It wouldn’t be the first CDI/MPEM I’ve dug the potting out of to replace components.

[@daveclark9968]

Thanks so much for posting this! Helped me locate the diode on mine perfectly. However, my MPEM had a different diode in there labeled 5KP20A which was physically larger than the MR2535L. The spec sheet looks the same as the MR2535L though, which I had already ordered before digging into it. So I replaced it anyway and the ski works now. Just figured I'd let you (and everyone else) know in case someone else encounters what I did.

[@jonparkmac]

It's like magic isn't it? I didn't think it would work when I first did it 😂 glad you gotter runnin

[@TheFishingHobby]

I'm having the blown 5v fuse issue on my 1998 GS Sea Doo. Thank you for uploading the repair video!

[@jonparkmac]

He'll yeah..easy fix once I did it.

[@TheFishingHobby]

@@jonparkmac I have mine prepped and ready to go, just waiting on the diodes I ordered to come in this afternoon. I used a thin cutting wheel on a Dremel to cut the plastic in the same area as you did with the drill press/rotary cutting bit. I was able to cleanly cut a rectangular window out that fits tightly back in place I'm thinking about covering the repair area with some 3m VHB foam mounting tape like you would use for mounting automotive trim pieces on a car body instead of silicone. I could mount the plastic window I cut out on top of the double sided mounting tape. It would be watertight and that VHB tape sticks to anything extremely well. That would make it very easy to access for future repair if needed. Anyways, thanks again for the video. Your video made it really simple to locate exactly where to cut for best access the diode.

[@TheFishingHobby]

@@jonparkmac I have it all back together again and it beeped when the key was put on the post and fired right up. Back in business, thanks again for the helpful video!

[@jonparkmac]

@@TheFishingHobby that's a good idea on the little hatch thing. I wanted to do something like that but got lazy. May also consider slapping a strip of duck tape over the hatch. It's only an issue if the ski flips and the mpem gets submerged.

[@TheFishingHobby]

@@jonparkmac the VHB tape is waterproof and you can pick it up at most home improvement stores. It is handy for a lot of other things too.

[@jeanguygir]

Thank you for this beautiful, very informative video. I have a question. When I look at the test you do with the new diodes you get a value where the multimeter goes up in one direction. On the diodes that I have for a Traxter bombardier MPEM, on the new diodes that I have, the multimeter does not move on one side or the other. So I don't understand. Wouldn't my diodes be good? Thank you for your reply

[@jonparkmac]

Your multimeter needs to be set on "diode mode" and not ohms or any other setting.

[@MrBea-lv7oj]

Wow you are genius. What made you zone in to the left of the fuses? I have a larger MPEM for a GTX 2003 di and have poured over the user manual for schematic like paper copy in your video. Fuses are fine. No power from the relay. No beep after making the mistake to jump a dead battery when it was hooked up. Looking what to replace first - thanks

[@jonparkmac]

I found a few other posts on where it was. That's why I made this video to broaden that info. I think this is really the only electronic fix you can make to these. Other failures, like the one you mention, are beyond us. There's just not a lot of diagrams and specs on these to repair them like a radio or TV.

[@ashleym2878]

How did you figure out where to find the diode? I would love to know if something like this could fix my 2001gtx mpem. People want over a grand for second hand and there 2500 for each half new the box and the actual computer and I'm not 100 percent what half is the real problem

[@jonparkmac]

You ONLY want to try this if the mpem is blowing the 5a fuse when you put the key on to wake it up. That's the symptom. The one i use is a MR2535L 6A transient voltage suppressor (tvs). But not sure about a 2001. The hard part is finding the right spot to dig.

[@ashleym2878]

@@jonparkmac I have only had my ski for a few months rode 3 times. It did blow a fuse once then the next ride had to be towed back it wouldn't start but all accessories worked then it managed to start again after playing with the ignition coil wires. Now I get absolutely nothing from the mpem tested power to it ect. Also if it's the key I will probably need a new mpem anyway as my local dealer says to bring in existing key and ski to program a new key. I guess to prove you do own a key to bad if the key died though

[@jonparkmac]

Don't need a new mpem. Key is programed to the mpem. You just need to show proof you own the machine. Find a friendly power sport shop with CAN-DOO and they will program it. But check all your connections and you may need to replace your DESS post. Is your 5a fuse blowing or not?

[@cailou32]

I’m curious why you wouldn’t remove the compound on the backside and solder it from there?

[@jonparkmac]

It's a fair question. I think you want to remove the damaged one or you'd still have a short. Also, digging into the back runs the risk of cutting across the printed circuit conductors. The only other reason is not being real sure which solder legs it is ..it's not labeled on that side. But IMO ..dig it up and replace it. That said ..we've toyed with the idea of running external wires so you can easily replace later if needed. Thanks for feedback!

[@cailou32]

@@jonparkmac i meant in addition to…I did this on my 97 Xp but after digging out the diode I figured might as well remove the thin layer on the back and solder it from there. These videos sure help resurrecting these old skis!

[@jonparkmac]

Ahh I'm with yah. Yeah that's actually a better way to solder. And it's why I cut the lines instead of heating it up so hot on the north side of the board. When you solder circuit boards ..you do it on the back side like you said. I guess for these it's just a little more trouble and we all have AD now too

[@InTheDirtAgain]

Purpose of the diode in that circuit? I hear of these blowing frequently on older Sea Doos

[@jonparkmac]

Transient Voltage Suppressor diode ..common surge protection on delicate electronics. Trying to jump a ski with a running auto can pop them. Mine was from a loose battery connection I think but not sure.

[@Lulu-qo4lh]

Hello,what was the problem with your jet ski to deduce the replacements of the diode

[@jonparkmac]

The tell tale is the 5amp fuse blows as soon as you put the key on.

[@xjornoj3887]

This video is a lifesaver where did you find the diode eBay or Amazon?

[@jonparkmac]

Glad to help. I got them on eBay. Part number is MR2535L 6a

[@abhvgas]

my ski is dead with a fresh battery. i checked post key and start button all are working. i dont get the 5 amp fuse blowing. do you think my mpem is still dead?

[@jonparkmac]

What year/model? There is usually a 15a fuse in the rear electrical box. It feeds power to the mpem from battery thro a red-purple wire. Check that fuse and polish up all of those connections in there. Also check your ground connection to motor.

[@abhvgas]

@@jonparkmac 1997 gti . well i made an opening in the case and checked the diode just like you did and its fine. i checked the ground all fuses, still nothing. im stumped

[@jonparkmac]

Check that you get 12v on the red/purple up to the mpem. You can pull the plug and look in the manual for which pin to test. If you can't get a read there then something between that pin and the battery * post is not conducting

[@abhvgas]

@@jonparkmac i checked for 12v and good ground. i think its a bad MPEM. no 5v fuse blowing but everything checks out otheer then the MPEM. i could get it checked but it $45 plus shipping. and a fix is over $400

[@jonparkmac]

Sounds like it's hosed. Sorry man, that's painful. You can source a used good one. Try Westside power sports.

[@andrewfralick2663]

Hey man mind I ask a few troubleshooting questions regarding my 1999 gsx limited

[@jonparkmac]

Happy too .. IM me on FB ..facebook.com/jonathan.mcclure.9?mibextid=ZbWKwL

[@andrewfralick2663]

@@jonparkmac thank you man I sent you a message

[@javiermontes3777]

I want to start saying this is a very good video, not many people takes the time to explain how to fix things. Hello everyone I need your guys help I have a 1998 seadoo gs with electrical problems if I plugged in everything like supposed to be my battery reads 0 and if I unplugged the mpem now my battery reads 1230 off charge I follow the power and the ground to the mpem plugg and I find out which one is the power and which is the ground now with a different battery I plugged ground and power to mpem and blew out my 5 amp fuse, no matter how many times do this always blows out my fuse and I disconnect my starter from everything and I connect the cables from the starter to the battery and my battery reads 0 I checked continuity and the starter and the mpem and between the ground and power and I got continuity, do you guys think my starter went bad an blew out my mpem?

[@benholden4585]

Have you ever worked on a Bombardier Traxter 650 CVT ECM 710000596?

[@jonparkmac]

I have not .. but sounds fun 😊

[@taylorcarson9213]

Hey what amp is the diode 5?

[@jonparkmac]

It's a 6a / 20v transient voltage surge protector ...MR2535L DIODE TVS Surge 6A 20V

[@MrDraftkid]

great video

[@jonparkmac]

Hope it helps brutha ..I learned from another and passing on the tribal secrets

[@outlawmxz]

What is the part number

[@jonparkmac]

MR2535L 6a

[@frankbjorkskog6435]

Does any other diode work? Difficult to find that exact one outside US.

[@joeydabney5329]

Can I send you mine to fix? 🫣😂

[@jonparkmac]

Sure, I can try. It may take a few weeks tho, I normally don't do repairs for people but I like to help a brutha out. You sure you don't want to try to yourself?

[@javiermontes3777]

Where are you located so I can send you my to from North Carolina 1998 seadoo gs

[@alainescrime]

Hi is it possible to remove the casing entirely or it's too much work?

[@jonparkmac]

It's possible to remove the potting but way to much trouble and not necessary. It's melted rubber potting poured in as liquid. There is easy way to open the case ..it's entombed

[@alainescrime]

@@jonparkmac ok entombed lol do you know where to find replacements module for speedster 2000 ?