What is going on?!

[ezmoney]

Before I begin, everyone please take a moment to prepare yourself to get oldschool.:Banane35:

So, I've had my 86 Kawi 550 for a while now. I only paid $400 for it, and now it's in need of some repair.

First of all, when I go to start it, it turns over very slowly/weakly. This is a condition that has gotten progressively worse. So now I can't get it started. it is not the battery, we charged it and even tried jumping it from a jeep and a mastercraft. I think it is the starter, what is your diagnostic?

Secondly, the battery drains. I installed a cutoff switch for this. But when i leave it for an hour or two with the switch on, it drains. Could this be related to the starter as well?

Should I fix it or just look for a newer ski. I dont want to put too much money into this thing, because I am looking for a new ski for next summer anyway. I just thought it would be cool to have for friends. Plus it's a lot of fun to ride.

whats up:crazy:

 

[ANT]

replace your battery cables, if that doesn work then go to the starter . i think the s/s switches draw too so maybe it could be bad.

 

[ezmoney]

Ok I'll try the battery cables. What's an s/s switch?

 

[ANT]

start stop switch

 

[ezmoney]

oh ok thanks. I've been told a seadoo starter works too, but is more reliable. I just cant remeber which motor it is for.

Thanks,
Evan

 

[ANT]

i believe its the sea doo 580/650/720 starter. they bolt right up and have more cranking power. they fit all the 440/550 motors. people use them when they go high compression and full mod motors becuase the stock starter can't crank the motor.

 

[onesojourner]

I did the seadoo starter mod. its great but I got one on ebay. The thing sheered in half after one season.

 

[SN760]

A bad starter can drain a good battery very fast.

I would check your cables, cable ends and where they connect (clean-good connections) if no problem found, rebuild or replace the starter.

 

[gj_fx1]

The starter will not drain the battery just sitting there. It is not connected at all unless your solenoid is bad (fix that first if thats the case..).

I'd break out the amp meter and start looking for the drain.

 

[ezmoney]

well could the starter going bad be the cause of it turning over very slowly/weakly?

Thats the main problem. Even jumping it wont make it spin over quick.

 

[Kny21]

try jumping your connections from the battery to the ground and positive to the batt.

this will tell you if there's a bad connection. if no, then move on to the starter.

 

[spence]

my dad had the same problems with his 550 he would charge it and it would turn over for a bit and get real real slow. Got a new starter been awsome ever since

 

[ezmoney]

allright everyone thanks for the help. SJKny, i tried it your way but it didnt help. now i'm looking for a new starter. I've seen the seadoo ones on ebay pretty cheap.

Thanks,
Evan