Do I need a new battery? Or is it something else?

anthony_

anthony_

wake jumping pirate
Location
Brentwood, NorCal
When I fall off my ski when riding and get back on it takes 2-3 attempts for the ski to fire before it fires. I've never had it not re-start but I've never had a ski hesitate a few times for 4 or 5 seconds before it fires. While I've never been stranded, I'd rather it not do that because it seems like something is going out or isn't working properly and I'd rather be proactive and get it fixed (if there is a problem) before I do get stranded.

So is this an issue with my battery or something else? Or is it something I don't need to worry about.

THANKS!
 
Waternut

Waternut

Customizing addict
Location
Macon, GA
It would't be the battery if it does eventually fire. Sounds more like the carb is flooding when you fall off (leaky needle and seat) or the spark is really weak (corroded spark plug wires).

Does it actually crank but not fire or just not crank at all? The other possibility is that your kill switch is corroded and making wierd contact when it's not supposed to. Check into those things first.
 
anthony_

anthony_

wake jumping pirate
Location
Brentwood, NorCal
jfw432 said:
It would't be the battery if it does eventually fire. Sounds more like the carb is flooding when you fall off (leaky needle and seat) or the spark is really weak (corroded spark plug wires).

Does it actually crank but not fire or just not crank at all? The other possibility is that your kill switch is corroded and making wierd contact when it's not supposed to. Check into those things first.
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it makes a muffled sound (i guess it could be a crank, but it's not loud) a couple of times and then fires up and I'm on my way until I completely fly off, swim back to it, put the lanyard in and hit the start again 2-3 times before it starts. The reason I think it's the battery because it sounds like there isn't enough juice to get it started.

Thanks for your help!
 
Waternut

Waternut

Customizing addict
Location
Macon, GA
When it does eventually fire, does it still crank weak or is it a weak crank, weak crank, and then after a strong crank fires it up?
 
Waternut

Waternut

Customizing addict
Location
Macon, GA
anthony_ said:
weak crank, weak crank then strong fire and no issues unless I have to re-start again.
Click to expand...

hmmm that pretty much rules out the carb, start/stop switch, and the spark plug wires. The only other thing I can think of right now is related to the electrical system. I'm guessing either the starter is about shot or the connections are bad but most likely the starter. The starter is just a high powered electric motor. As the commutator on an electric motor wears, it develops less and less power. If you can get the motor moving fast enough, it can usually develop near full power but getting it there from a stop is a problem. This could explain why it cranks slow and then fast later.

The starter is held onto the case with 2 bolts. Disconnect the battery first and then unscrew those bolts. Once you have the starter out of the engine, open it up and see what it looks like. It goes without saying that the connections should be analyzed for problems but just making sure.
 
anthony_

anthony_

wake jumping pirate
Location
Brentwood, NorCal
jfw432 said:
hmmm that pretty much rules out the carb, start/stop switch, and the spark plug wires. The only other thing I can think of right now is related to the electrical system. I'm guessing either the starter is about shot or the connections are bad but most likely the starter. The starter is just a high powered electric motor. As the commutator on an electric motor wears, it develops less and less power. If you can get the motor moving fast enough, it can usually develop near full power but getting it there from a stop is a problem. This could explain why it cranks slow and then fast later.

The starter is held onto the case with 2 bolts. Disconnect the battery first and then unscrew those bolts. Once you have the starter out of the engine, open it up and see what it looks like. It goes without saying that the connections should be analyzed for problems but just making sure.
Click to expand...


Will do. THANKS so much!!!!
 
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