New to the sport, & my Ski won't start

[Nick Peters]

Last March I saw some jetskiis riding in Crystal Beach,Texas. It made me want to go out and buy my own. I found a '93 750 sx in good condition and bought it. Took it to the lake and got the hang of it (first time on one). I have been running it on and off since without a flaw. This past weekend I got it out and it ran perfectly until it wouldn't start again. When I push the starter it acts like it wants to start and the engine will rotate once and then stop. Something then makes a clicking noise in the engine compartment. I checked the new battery and it was good and charged. I even jumped it and the same thing happened. Like I said I am new to these machines and don't know much about them. Anyone have any solutions?

 

[DAG]

the clicking is your Starter relay or some people call them solonoid... This is good. this means you have a strong connection to your Ebox..

Most likely your starter has gone bad... or rusted up..
try pulling it off and taking a look.
-grif

 

[Nick Peters]

Thanks man I'll give it a try.

 

[sflsurfrider]

does the clicking noise only happen when youre pushing the start button? is it click on - click off, or does it click continuously when your finger is on the button. sounds like it could be a faulty ground or some other connection.

 

[Nick Peters]

When I push the start button the engine will try to turn once and after that, while I am still holding the start button, it will start clicking multiple times. Once I release the button it will stop. But sometimes it won't even turn but click once when I press the start button and then make a groaning sound like it isn't strong enough to turn the engine.

 

[DAG]

the 1st click the the noid, which can rarely be herd if the starter turns b/c the starter is much louder..

the multi click is most likely a bad ground like SFLer is describing

 

[Prem1x]

All the clicking is the starter solenoid in the electrical box. It has a metal bar in it that when electrified, magnetizes and slides into position to make contact with the two terminals that the heavy gauge cables are bolted to. It will always click once then the starter cranks. If it keeps clicking, the metal bar is being thrown back and forth. Its usually caused by a battery with low voltage, but you seem to have eliminated that possibility.

My guess is that the armature in the starter motor is burnt up (similar to a bad ground) and you need a new/used starter, but it is possible that the brushes are bad (worn out), or even still the solenoid is bad (but I doubt it).

I have a used starter I can send you for a few bucks if you'd like. Send me a PM if your interested.

 

[Nick Peters]

Trying to get the starter out, to check it, I have taken out the two bolts on the rear of the motor, but still can't seem to pull it out. I think those are the only bolts holding it on. Is it made to just pull right out of where it meets the crankcase? Or do I have to take anything else apart? Thanks, I might need it if mine turns out to be burnt up.

 

[yamaslut]

Trying to get the starter out, to check it, I have taken out the two bolts on the rear of the motor, but still can't seem to pull it out. I think those are the only bolts holding it on. Is it made to just pull right out of where it meets the crankcase? Or do I have to take anything else apart? Thanks, I might need it if mine turns out to be burnt up.

no.... it's held in there w/ an O-ring, just get a flat blade screw driver and pry it out of there easily...

 

[Nick Peters]

Thanks, got it off now. There is some rust on the bottom. Should I take the two long bolts holding it together out and check out what it looks like inside? What exactly am I looking for? A lot of rust, worn down leads, what is normal?

 

[yamaslut]

Thanks, got it off now. There is some rust on the bottom. Should I take the two long bolts holding it together out and check out what it looks like inside? What exactly am I looking for? A lot of rust, worn down leads, what is normal?

no.... don't mess w/ that unless you have a kit to rebuild it... there are parts that will go flying in all directions if ya don't be careful

 

[Nick Peters]

Is there any way to check if it is good or bad then? Would it be better to rebuild it or talk to Prem1x about his? I appreciate all this help. Like I mentioned earlier I don't know much about this machine, I just want it to work.

 

[yamaslut]

Is there any way to check if it is good or bad then? Would it be better to rebuild it or talk to Prem1x about his? I appreciate all this help. Like I mentioned earlier I don't know much about this machine, I just want it to work.

yes...

get a batt charger and set it to 12v
attach the ground to the starter case
attach the hot wire to the bolt
hold on tight, cause that baby has some tourque
if it spins it's good, if not, well......

 

[Nick Peters]

I just hooked it up and it turns at a slower rpm and didn't seem to have the torque that you hinted it would have. In fact, I could grab the shaft and make it stop turning. I'm guessing it is a bad motor.

 

[yamaslut]

I just hooked it up and it turns at a slower rpm and didn't seem to have the torque that you hinted it would have. In fact, I could grab the shaft and make it stop turning. I'm guessing it is a bad motor.

ok.... now you start ripping that baby apart.


I think you can fix it... I have done the fix to several.

the starter has brushes inside that push aganst the shaft, so when you remove the cap on bottom side of the starter they will release and it difficult to get them back in, kinda... Those pieces usually freeze up and don't make the contact it needs for maximum tourque... spray it down w/ wd-40 or whatever hand clean the hell out of the inside, slap it back together and try it out... I bet it will work

 

[sflsurfrider]

i doubt your starter is bad. a battery charger wont turn the starter like a fresh battery. it just doesnt have the amperage to do so.

IF your battery is good (how do you KNOW its good?), the clicking could be explained by a loose connection or connector.

a bad starter wont make the relay go ga-ga.

a better way to test the starter is with your car battery.

 

[DAG]

ga-ga? isent that what babys do?

 

[Big Kahuna]

have you checked to make sure your cables are good?

 

[Nick Peters]

The cables to the starter? Yes. They seem to be fine, no kinks or rust. The terminals on the battery are clean also. When I went to buy the ski, the previous owner was just finishing putting in a new battery. I tested the battery with my voltmeter and it read 11.8 v. Right when it wouldn't start I jumped it with another boat's battery and it did the same thing (try to turn over once and click).

I just did what yamaslut said and the motor does turn faster. Should I just get jumper cables to hook it to my car battery?

Whatever it is, it made it not start all of the sudden. I had just cranked it up fine 15 minutes earlier.

 

[oxnard111]

I know it is a long shot, but the starter bendix could be rusting up to the point that is almost frozen. I had a bendix go out, and I had a similar set of problems.