The inevitable total loss woes(now with pics)

[McDog]

I got a single channel digital total loss from a fellow board member and had it shipped to Jetski solutions for John to check out and setup for me. He told me it was the worst looking stuff he had ever received. I thought that was funny because I was told it was rough looking but that it worked. I knew he could make it pretty as long as it works. John did have to repair the coil (he said it may or may not last) but didn't charge me extra for it and I put it on my ski today. The LED was burned out so I had to set the timing with a timing light. I talked to John about it and he said he didn't check the dip switches or the LED which I was kinda disappointed about. I mean, why else did I send it to him? I finally got the timing set at 29 degrees advance by subtracting 6 degrees with the brain. I set the start retard at 5000 and the rpm limit at 8000. -13 for the retard limit setting for 16 advance at 8000. set the timing with the engine running dry in my shop.

When I put the ski in the water it had no power. I didn't seem to want to rev and had no hit. It would run but would only slowly accelerate to about 20mph tops. Throttle response was non existant. Since my ski was last running I also put on a limited b-pipe, girdled head with 35cc domes, and rejetted the carbs at 135 mains, 75 pilots, stock springs, stock needle and seats, low speed 3/4 turn out and high speed 1 and 1/2 turns out as per Mike W's recommendations. My ski is a otherwise stock 1996 superjet.

I checked compression and I'm at 175 in both cylinders. I started to screw around with my carbs but I figure Mike W's recommendations and factory pipe's jetting couldn't be that far off. I'm thinking it has to be something wrong with the ignition, but I don't know. I'm so sick of wrenching on this ski that I'm tempted to take it to the local shop to have them figure it out, but that would be like admiting defeat. I'm gonna call John tomorrow and see what he thinks, but what do you guys think?

 

[Kennay]

buuuuuuuuummer

How much did it run you for that dude to go over your system... pm me if you don't want to post it publically...

 

[McDog]

pm coming your way.

 

[egbrig]

John at JSS is one of the most honest buisiness persons you will run across. His knowlegde and skill in what he does is what this sport needed. Checking the dip switches and the LED can be done but he would have to spend quite a bit of time to do so. Hell, Im sure he would do it if he could charge for the hours. Since this is your first TL there could be a few other issues you have. Once again someone tried to save money and buy a second hand piece, then when it doesn't work out and money has been paid to shine a turd it must be the skilled works fault. Bad93blaster bought an old MSD and John did his magic but its still an old MSD. John goes the distance for his customers, if you how much info he passes out then (well if you did you wouldn't need him). I feel for you and wish I had some info to help but you bought it, Jonn set it up and know you have to figure it out. You sound like you have more knowlege than the average board member so there may be some one out here who will pass on what you need. Bad luck so far, but its not JSS's fault. Start with the coil and the simple things first. Keep posting so we know how it goes, and maybe we as a group can throw some ideas your way and get your boat running.

 

[WFO Speedracer]

John at JSS is one of the most honest buisiness persons you will run across. His knowlegde and skill in what he does is what this sport needed. Checking the dip switches and the LED can be done but he would have to spend quite a bit of time to do so. Hell, Im sure he would do it if he could charge for the hours. Since this is your first TL there could be a few other issues you have. Once again someone tried to save money and buy a second hand piece, then when it doesn't work out and money has been paid to shine a turd it must be the skilled works fault. Bad93blaster bought an old MSD and John did his magic but its still an old MSD. John goes the distance for his customers, if you how much info he passes out then (well if you did you wouldn't need him). I feel for you and wish I had some info to help but you bought it, Jonn set it up and know you have to figure it out. You sound like you have more knowlege than the average board member so there may be some one out here who will pass on what you need. Bad luck so far, but its not JSS's fault. Start with the coil and the simple things first. Keep posting so we know how it goes, and maybe we as a group can throw some ideas your way and get your boat running.

Pm crammit442 and see if he can help you ,he is pretty knowledgeable on total loss.

 

[Waternut]

Welcome to my nightmare...Your problem seems all too familiar. I went out to Tobo today only to ride for 2-3 minutes with less power than before installing total loss and then have the thing crap out on me and quit sparking all together.

I've debated taking it to a shop but I highly doubt anyone around here would even know what all the stuff we have does so I figure my knowledge and that of this forum is about as good as it gets.

I've tried some other crap today that I'm going to test out tommorrow after work. If this fixes it, I'll let you know.

 

[McDog]

John at JSS is one of the most honest buisiness persons you will run across. His knowlegde and skill in what he does is what this sport needed. Checking the dip switches and the LED can be done but he would have to spend quite a bit of time to do so. Hell, Im sure he would do it if he could charge for the hours. Since this is your first TL there could be a few other issues you have. Once again someone tried to save money and buy a second hand piece, then when it doesn't work out and money has been paid to shine a turd it must be the skilled works fault. Bad93blaster bought an old MSD and John did his magic but its still an old MSD. John goes the distance for his customers, if you how much info he passes out then (well if you did you wouldn't need him). I feel for you and wish I had some info to help but you bought it, Jonn set it up and know you have to figure it out. You sound like you have more knowlege than the average board member so there may be some one out here who will pass on what you need. Bad luck so far, but its not JSS's fault. Start with the coil and the simple things first. Keep posting so we know how it goes, and maybe we as a group can throw some ideas your way and get your boat running.

I wasn't dogging John, he has helped me out. It's just that I asked him to check it out and set it up we agreed on a price. Later he tells me he didn't check out all the functions. I'm frustrated about that. I guess there was a misunderstanding. Happens all the time on stuff that is way more important than a jet ski ignition. No huge deal. I'm sure he will help me out to get it running right. Maybe it's not even the ignition that is screwed up. Maybe I f'd up something else when I put the motor back together. I don't know. I was just explaining my situation and asking for advice/enlightenment/suggestions/anything to get my ski running right.

I'm thinking about putting my stock ignition back on to rule out any other problems.

 

[McDog]

Welcome to my nightmare...Your problem seems all too familiar. I went out to Tobo today only to ride for 2-3 minutes with less power than before installing total loss and then have the thing crap out on me and quit sparking all together.

I've debated taking it to a shop but I highly doubt anyone around here would even know what all the stuff we have does so I figure my knowledge and that of this forum is about as good as it gets.

I've tried some other crap today that I'm going to test out tommorrow after work. If this fixes it, I'll let you know.

Gregg's ski crapped out today too. I think it must be something in the water.

 

[WFO Speedracer]

Dang I am staying out of your lake then I don't need any more problems lol.

 

[waxhead]

You checked the timing with a timing light ??

 

[Scorn800]

Ignitions are 1 of thoses things that is sketchy to buy used.

 

[Mike W]

That jetting is pretty spot on so I'm sure its not that. Do you have the stock electronics to swap out to see if the TL is the problem?
Hope you find the problem brother.

 

[D-Roc]

i bought a used one aswell and had it professionally wired by john, he does awesome work, if your ski is running your ignition is working. my used brain quit and i just bought a new one and plugged it into jss wiring. it sucks but that is modding. maybe your timing is way out, your running on one cylinder, or you gotta set your pop-off/carbs. my total loss runs mint, once you get it working you will love it....until the next time it craps out. hahaha.

 

[Big Kahuna]

How does JSS bench test it???? Dont see how he did if the LED was not working........ and as far as I know, He has not had a ski in 2 years.........

like posted earlier, contact Crammit, he knows this system pretty well.

 

[waxhead]

Thats got me confused as tho how he would best tench it as well
im also not sure how he would test the dip switches

 

[WFO Speedracer]

Thats got me confused as tho how he would best tench it as well
im also not sure how he would test the dip switches

I was thinking he used something like this to test it with but I can not be sure of that.

 

[McDog]

You checked the timing with a timing light ??

Yes. I did it in my shop with the engine dry. It wouldn't change when the engine is under load in the water would it?

 

[waxhead]

No it wouldnt
Unless something has come loose
it would be a good idea to check
I have seen people set them up firing after tdc as well

 

[njfl]

That jetting is pretty spot on so I'm sure its not that. Do you have the stock electronics to swap out to see if the TL is the problem?
Hope you find the problem brother.

Best advice I see on this thread so far. You changed a lot of things at once. It is very likely that it is the ignition, but you never know. It could be somthing with the way you re-hooked up your fuel lines, etc.

Put back the stock ignition and make sure it runs good. This will do three things:

1. Hopefully point you to the ignition as the culprit (or put your mind at ease that it is not the TL)
2. Give you a baseline so that you can see the actual improvement that the TL actually brings you when you decide to do it
3. At least allow you to enjoy your boat during the nicest time of the year (even if it is without TL)

 

[McDog]

Yeah, I'm gonna switch it out tomorrow. I'm kinda hoping it is the total loss, because then it will be fixed, and that also will mean that there is nothing ELSE wrong. I just don't have it in me to tear into that engine again right now.

Hey this is my 1000th post! :cheer:Too bad it wasn't about pulling my first barrel roll.