No start Sea-doo. MPEM? Lets check the Starter, Starter Relay, Dess Post, Key & Start Button

[@justinwilliams3870]

I have this exact year and ski, with exact same issues, going to go through the checks to get it figured out, thanks for the video!!!

[@Ggordieno-ob4th]

Thank you for confirming my suspicions, 2004 GTI LE RFI is no click or start. Crossed the solenoid and fires up. I tested the on/stop button and getting nothing on my end with the multi-meter. Order button so wish me luck. Great videos!

[@papadonjetski9535]

Did you get it running?

[@Hugo-Hernandez]

Did you fix it ?

[@SaabAholic]

I learned to take out the spark plugs first before checking all the other things. I thought I was having a starter issue that turned into a no crank situation. I chased the start button, the DESS post, and the battery. My 1995 Seadoo XP doesn’t have a programmable DESS key. I removed the plugs and it cranked over and spit out water. I put some lube down the plug holes and am letting it sit awhile. I’m going to get new plugs this morning. The one time I rode it this summer, I forgot to put the plug in and flooded the ski. Any tiny bit of rust that gets in the motor can make a ski difficult to crank. I let it sit for 4 weeks………. I know, I know, my bad. 😵‍💫

[@RpmAuto]

Funny thing is back when I sold you some skis I had a whole bunch of those ECU boxes with the keys already programmed to them. I think I offered them to you and you turned them down. I put all of them on eBay and a guy in Florida bought everyone I had. When you have a lot of those Sea-Doos you working on you need to have all the extra parts you can. That's why I had bought so many skis for parts. But I'm glad to see you got it turning over.

[@papadonjetski9535]

Yep, I remember. I think you were asking $250 for them which was a great deal, but they were eboxes for 587 engines weren't they? The 2 skis I bought from you had 787 and 717 engines. When are you going to jump back in to bringing old jet skis back to life?

[@RpmAuto]

@@papadonjetski9535 they were a couple of different ones mainly newer ones . No I passed the jet ski torch on to you I know where there's some are but man I got too much stuff right now. I'm into boats right now

[@papadonjetski9535]

@@RpmAuto If you come across a Seadoo 1800 Challenger let me know...1998-1999 year. I've been looking for one, but haven't found a good deal.

[@andrewfralick2663]

@@papadonjetski9535 hey man who did you have reprogram your keys to the MPEM?

[@papadonjetski9535]

@@andrewfralick2663 I use Tommy Smith at Powersports Services in Sardis, MS

[@jongross3329]

You just saved Memorial Day 2024

[@mumbojohnson87]

Thanks for your videos. I'm going to look at 2 1999 Seadoo GTS tonight that I'm told "need some tuning." I'm excited to give them a look. These are sure helpful to watch.

[@papadonjetski9535]

How did they look, did you get them?

[@ShadetreeJetski]

You are getting better at this stuff. I bought a gopro...hate it. In cold weather the batteries wont work in hot weather they fail as well. Mine has that same 5minite 20 second timer issue. You have to download all the images then re download again. Too much headache. I am getting rid of it. On another note that is a good looking older ski there. Great diagnostic video. You will be an expert on older seadoo jet skis before you know it.

[@papadonjetski9535]

Thanks. appreciate the help and insight you give with your comments on some of my videos. I love my gopro. I'm able to drop it down into most of the skis and I think it really helps to show what I'm doing. I also love it out on the water, although I haven't used it much out there. I'm too afraid I'll lose it in the lake. I believe I found the solution to my issue I've been having with it. It randomly shuts off, sometimes it runs for a minute and sometimes 10 minutes before shutting itself down. I've removed all of the videos from the sd card and then reformatted the card. Is that what you were talking about doing?

[@ShadetreeJetski]

@@papadonjetski9535 I bough a hero8 it just isnt what I hoped. You have to use specific sd cards or it wont work. Yes it is nice to put it in the hole using tripods as a handle and it has great quality video but I just dont like having extra steps to produce a video. It is also nice to wear on a headband with a floatation device and do action videos on the water. The temperature issues it has kills the useability for me. I bought it last December and am selling it already.

[@BroBob1254]

Thanks for the info, I'm working on a 2017 RTX 260 and it's completely dead, and the Start-Stop switch is not showing continuity.

[@rwhitley9491]

Thanks for the awesome vid ! I just picked up a 96 gti same problem exactly! And I figured out how to test everything and did all the same logical test you did and replaced battery and cable and cleaned all connections and still nothing? I kept thinking a bad ground to electric box because I read sometimes when the ground cable gets changed people leave off a small wire the ground the electric box looked everywhere I could not find one even made a test one with alligator clips to clip on the ground on the circuit board which there’s two of them I jump them together and then jump them to the battery ground still nothing. Then I started thinking about the key thing I’m wondering if the guy got it from which you knew nothing about mechanics or electronics butBut they had taking a lot of things apart . And I was not even sure if that key went to this sea-Doo? Ran across a complete electrical box just like you got on eBay for 250 ask if they could do any better they lowered it down to 235 and free shipping and it already has a programmed key so I got that coming but I was sitting here waiting a few days and thinking and thinking and checking and double checking lol and then I came across your video. i’m so glad I did because it confirmed my thinking and that I wasn’t wasting 235 bucks for nothing. Thanks again for your informative video I subscribe them and start watching all your stuff because I i’m new to this whole JetSki thing and really don’t know one from another I do have some mechanical skills and troubleshooting skills but hopes are lots more from you thank you again.

[@papadonjetski9535]

Thanks for the encouragement. Let me know how it turns out.

[@rwhitley9491]

@@papadonjetski9535 got the new complete e box with matched key and that was it ! Key wasn’t programmed to mpem or it was bad . I think I will fix it and keep it to test others . It’s a great tool to have. Thanks for your videos 👍 oh ya I also replaced buzzer and it works now and everything is working as it’s supposed to now !

[@papadonjetski9535]

@@rwhitley9491 Awesome, I'm glad everything worked out for you.

[@abhvgas]

so did you get the 5amp fuse blowing every time you tried to start it?

[@papadonjetski9535]

It has been a year or so, but I think mine would blow when I connected the battery.

[@bradykice8759]

Well I got a ski very similar to that one, it’s cranks but doesn’t fire. It’s has a year old battery and starter. Changed plugs and that hasn’t done anything. I’m going to get a new fuel filter and a spark checker and go from there with it

[@papadonjetski9535]

Have you rebuilt the carbs? Are the fuel lines new or does it still have the old gray lines? My GTI wouldn't start and it was because of the old original grey fuel lines. I rebuilt the carbs and changed the fuel lines and it started right up.

[@bradykice8759]

@@papadonjetski9535 the fuel lines have been replaced recently. But I haven’t done anything with the carb just yet. See it started perfectly in the driveway before I took it out. Then it wouldn’t start on the boat ramp. I’m getting spark. I’m about to drain all of the fuel and get new fresh fuel for it

[@NoahReinhart3]

I connected the battery charger while still inside my ski and plugged in over the winter. I tested everything except the start button, but pretty sure that works. I had the mpem tested with the key and it is good. Do you think its that separate “CDI?”

[@papadonjetski9535]

Sorry it has taken so long to respond. Did you get it figured out? If you have tested everything and all tests good then your CDI is probably the problem. I fried my GTS computer by connecting a battery charger to the battery while it was connected to the ski. So now, I always pull the battery out and connect to a maintainer in the garage.

[@Tiggo35]

Doesn't your key need to be programed to the MPEM? Or did you get a new key with the replacement MPEM? Also, what is the status on your crank thread issue?

[@papadonjetski9535]

What I tested in the video was the old dess post and key. So yes, a programed key came with the new ebox I installed. I solved the crankshaft thread damage just yesterday and I'll post that video soon.

[@Hugo-Hernandez]

If you dont mind asking. How much did MPEM and key programming cost you ?

[@papadonjetski9535]

I can't remember exactly now, but I want to say around $200.

[@aaronedgecomb8503]

I saw your video and went through the testing. All is good. I do have a slightly different issue. All those items tested good but the issue I’m having is when I have the battery connected and key on the dess post, if I wait for a few moments the ski starts to turn itself over… any ideas? Does that mean a bad MPEM?

[@papadonjetski9535]

I would say you either have a starter relay stuck closed or you have a bad MPEM. Sorry I don't have a definite answer, but I've never come across that issue.

[@aaronedgecomb8503]

@@papadonjetski9535 thanks for the response! I really appreciate it! I’ve learned quite a bit from your videos, as I am not extremely mechanically inclined but have enjoyed learning! I’ll go back through 1 more time and check the starter solenoid/relay and see where that maybe gets me? Thanks again!

[@Hugo-Hernandez]

​@@aaronedgecomb8503 Did you ever figure it out?

[@bartjohnson80724]

What about one clique

[@davevanderbent8723]

My 1997 Seadoo GTI was running in the driveway (with water hose attached). I revved the engine and it quit. Now, not only will it not crank but I don't even get the chirp and fuel gauge activation when I attach the safety lanyard cap. Does this sound like a dead MPEM and/or lost programming to the safety lanyard cap? Thanks for any thoughts you or your community might have. (I've already checked the fuses on the MPEM) Thanks in advance, Dave in Portage, MI

[@papadonjetski9535]

First, rule out a bad DESS post. When they go out, nothing works. I have another "no start"video showing how to test it in the Seadoo. It is pretty simple. If you have checked everything else, then it could be the MPEM.

[@papadonjetski9535]

Did you test the key to rule it out?

[@davevanderbent8723]

Yes, just tested key using instructions in your video above. It passed the tests... @@papadonjetski9535

[@davevanderbent8723]

Also, just now tested the DESS post and it also passed. Thinking it could be the MPEM; do you agree? Also, thank you for answering my questions!

[@papadonjetski9535]

Probably, but check your ground wires if you haven't already done so. A loose or corotated ground wire will cause the same symptom. Also, just make sure your wiring harness is plugged securely into the stator housing. If all of this checks out then it sounds like the MPEM. @@davevanderbent8723

[@ryanbuckner2405]

I need your help papa don. My 2003 seadoo gti will crank up and run for about 3-5 seconds and then just die. Then when I go to hit the starter button it just beeps instead of trying to crank. But if I remove the key and put it back on it will crank and run for 3-5 seconds again. Very frustrating and I can’t find anything on the internet about it.

[@papadonjetski9535]

Hey man, sorry for such a late reply. By now you may have already solved your issue, but I will add my .02 cents just in case. Just to start, there are many things to check so I'll start with the simplest. Carbs, fuel lines, spark, and spark plugs. Are these good to go? Next, check your rectifier. My SPX would run and die intermediately on the water and to start it up again I would have to pull the key fob off the dess post and then put it back on. To me, this sounds similar to what yours is doing. I changed the rectifier and fuel lines on my SPX and it ran great.

[@ryanbuckner2405]

@@papadonjetski9535 actually no, I haven’t yet solved the issue and the kids are getting onto me big time. I fixed a couple of suspicious looking wires (burnt broken etc.) but that still wasn’t it. The rectifier was never even a thought so I’ll definitely look into that. I really appreciate your reply. I’m hoping to have it on the water for Memorial Day. I can only work on it on weekends.

[@ryanbuckner2405]

Quick question, will a bad rectifier cause the ski to run very poorly and smoke like it’s running rich? That is exactly what mine is doing when I can get it to run for a few seconds.

[@papadonjetski9535]

No. Normally, a ski will smoke a lot when it hasn't run in a while. For instance, my first start after a long winter is very smokey, and black oily carbon buildup comes out of the exhaust.

[@ryanbuckner2405]

@@papadonjetski9535 one more thing don, last night I was tinkering with it a bit and I noticed that if I pressed on the key like pressing it forward into the dess post it acted like it wanted to run better. I would get a better connection and the motor would turn over for longer if I was pressing into the key on the dess post. I’m really leaning into it being a bad dess post. The rectifier looked pretty rough also so I’m going to replace it as well. I tried this thing I saw online by cutting the red wire to the rectifier but that made no difference. I even tried running it with the rectifier completely unplugged and it would crank and do the same thing. What are your thoughts? Thank you so much for replying to me🙏

[@rjbradleyjr]

Great job!!!:) I have problem 2003 GTX if a put the key on the DESS post I will hear 2 beeps. Than the ski will start but if the key comes off and i put the key back on nothing happens no start but if disconnect the battery and reconnect the battery and put the key all is happy again (the Ski Will Start:). So i put a switch in between the power lead of the battery. so why is this happening?

[@papadonjetski9535]

Wow, that is a crazy situation and I don't have a solution. Here is my thought, if you are getting the 2 shorts beeps each time you place the key on to the dess then all is good, it should be ready to go. So, that makes me think something is going on with your starter relay. The next time the key comes off and the ski will not start when you place the key back on, try jumping the relay to see if the engine cranks over.

[@Hugo-Hernandez]

Did you ever figure it out?

[@rjbradleyjr]

@@Hugo-Hernandez I run a wire from pinout number 26 on the control module to a normally closed switch to the battery.....so when the key doesn't reset i just press the button and i get the 2 beep ready to go 😀 😎

[@Hugo-Hernandez]

@@rjbradleyjr Thats crazy weird lol. So I guess that switch just resets the module. I wonder what's causing it though.

[@rjbradleyjr]

@@Hugo-Hernandez I don't know maybe bad computer

[@123459934]

I have a video of my issue I’d like you to take a look at. What’s the best way to get in touch? I love the content, I own a 98 Sea Doo GTX limited and I love it, but I got stranded in the lake today

[@papadonjetski9535]

Go to the "About" tab on my page and my email address should show.

[@123459934]

@@papadonjetski9535 sent email! Thanks

[@papadonjetski9535]

@@123459934 Replied to your email.

[@ryguy1298]

What it end up being ? I have the same ski and it will crank normally then it won't then it will like the battery is dead . Replacing the dess post first

[@benjaminalejandro8947]

How can I contact you?

[@papadonjetski9535]

[e-mail]

[@biged5033]

Hey Papa Don, I sent you an email. I need your help if you get a second. Thanks!