Engine wants to turn over without a key

[feiguy3]

I'm having a strange problem with my '98 GTS Seadoo that I'm really stumped on. The engine wants to turn over without the key being attached. I opened up the electrical box and removed the solenoid(starter relay) and replaced it with a new one. Same thing happens. I even switched the cables to the solenoid just to be sure but it really can only go on a certain way without using some force. After I switched them the same thing is occurring. I have a volt meter & tested the current & everything is good and normal. I pulled apart the wires & tested them to and made sure the on/off switch opens & closes & tested the key wires & everything checks out ok. I removed the starter & hooked it up to the battery & it functions normal. I'm trying to eliminate the problem by keeping the on/off & the key switches pulled apart & put to the side & I'm getting the same results with the engine wanting to turn over. I checked all my grounds & verified all the connections with my service manual & everything is the way it should be. So now that's all is connected is the positive & negative cable to the starter, the positive cables to the solenoid and the battery & it just wants to turn over. The fuses are ok. I even have the ignition coil removed to & the same thing is happening. Something is telling the engine to start & I have no idea what else to do without bringing it in and getting ripped off with a big bill. The only thing I can think of is to possibly replace the computer but I'm not sure if that's what's causing this. Can somebody please help? :emotredf

[radiocontrolhead]

Re: Engine wants to turn over without a key

i believe there are a few threads on ur same issue, i suggest you do a search, i think it's ur mpem module. u might need to replace it. but what do i know... nothign about the electronics yet.

[John Kubiak]

Re: Engine wants to turn over without a key

You may have a bad (intermittent) ground connection, usually from the engine/stator to the main ground input at the MPEM.

[Bill O'Neal2]

Re: Engine wants to turn over without a key

If you have the wires for the start switch disconnected and the starter motor still wants to turn over then your problem must lie in the solenoid.
Even though you say you changed the solenoid, I cannot see how it could be anything else, if all cables and wires are correctly attached to the proper terminals.
The 12V to the starter motor passes through the solenoid. When the solenoid switch is open, it would be impossible to get power to the starter motor. So that solenoid switch must be closed allowing the 12V from the battery positive cable to get through the solenoid to the starter motor.

[feiguy3]

Re: Engine wants to turn over without a key

I'll pick up another solenoid and see what it does. Would the MPEM be causing it to or no?

[dank]

Re: Engine wants to turn over without a key

Try disconecting the control wires from the solinoid and see if the startter still spins if it does then you know the problem is in the solinoid. If it does not then the problem is with the control circut activating the solinoid all the time and you will have to troubleshoot that circut.

[djdean]

Re: Engine wants to turn over without a key

Sounds like you have a computer problem. The only ski I have ever seen do that is a yamaha 1200 after boosting the battery. Since you have already replaced the relay with no change sounds like a transister in the computer has stuck. I say this because without the key that transister for the security system should be open and with out pushing the start button so should the one for starting. Only when both are closed should the starter spin. The yamaha will spin without pushing the button because the lanyard is just a kill switch for the ignition and not a security device.

[Bill O'Neal2]

Re: Engine wants to turn over without a key

The yellow/red wires from the starter switch, into and out of the mpem, control the solenoid switch. You could try running some tests on those wires.

[John Kubiak]

Re: Engine wants to turn over without a key

You may have a bad (intermittent) ground connection, usually from the engine/stator to the main ground input at the MPEM. This sometimes causes the MPEM to cycle on and off rapidly, and usually ends up with the starter engaged for no reason.....