300/440/550 ...and I expected to be on the water today! Stator issue?

[Kalwren]

For those of you that are good with the electrics on a ski, I'd appreciate any and all feedback that you have.

I bought my new carb from Art at Jetworks. He worked his magic on it and I thought it was ready to go. I test fired my ski twice and it fired right up both times. I didn't leave it running, as it was late at night and I didn't want to annoy my neighbor. My ski was on the trailer. Plenty loud between two houses.

Anyway, I took it to the water today. It started up and then died.

I had a friend of mine check it out (he's quite the Jetski Wizard). He pulled a plug and we tested spark. It had spark for about 8 times in a row - and then nothing.

We pulled the other plug. It sparked about 4 times in a row and then nothing.

If we stop for a few moments and then hit it again, it would spark a few times and then stop.

Has good spark when you hit the starter and then after about 8 cranks it completely dies. He suggested that it was a bad stator or a possible loose or broken wire either at the stator or in the EBox.

I've not torn it apart yet. I'm doing that tomorrow.

I'd just like to get some good conversation going as to what it could be. I know *nothing* about the electronics on a jetski. While I certainly appreciate this opportunity to learn about it - I really wanted to be on the water today, damnit! It's my birthday!

Ah well. Any suggestions are most certainly welcome. I know basic electronics but I don't know how to properly use a volt meter... yet. I'm sure I will when I'm done here.

Thanks in advance! Sorry for the long read!

 

[WFO Speedracer]

Start with the simple stuff, disconnect the stop switch wires and make sure the stop switch is not the culprit, then make sure you have a good ground between the engine and electrical box, that is a small separate ground wire that is easily damaged. Make sure your spark plugs boots are good and cut the coil wires back about 1/4 inch and reinstall or replace the boots. After that open up the electrical box and check all the ground connections and the stator wire connections. If you find nothing there do an AC voltage check on the stator windings and confirm you have correct voltage coming from the stator.Like I said do the simplest things first and go from there, you may find your problem in short order.

 

[Kalwren]

Thanks for the response!

When my friend checked it yesterday, the first thing he did was disconnect the stop switch. He did that test and it's not working so it must be something else.

I'll check the rest of what you suggested. Thanks again!

 

[WFO Speedracer]

I will see if I can dig up the stator specs for you

 

[Kalwren]

Another n00b question... If I pull the cover for my stator - does it require a gasket when I put it back together?