97 GTX - No Spark NO IDEA?

[trent1NY]

I rode my ski about a month ago. Charged battery. 12 volt low flashing. I tried starting it - jumped it with a 12 volt boat battery. Rolled over very good. No Spark. Fuse in the "black box" is good. Plugs were wet with Gas. Installed new plugs. Still no spark. Have no clue what "MPEM is or CDI? Read tons of posts still confused. I rebuilt my carbs last season w/ SBT parts (new rave valves too). Completely lost here and help would be great. NO trustworthly shops around my area. Doin it by myself... Thanks in advance

[Technical Support]

Re: 97 GTX - No Spark NO IDEA?

Test your battery voltage while cranking. If it drops below 12.2 it shuts off teh ignition and you need to fully charge the battery or replace it.

[trent1NY]

Re: 97 GTX - No Spark NO IDEA?

I jumped the ski with another battery so the voltage should be where it needs to be. Wet plugs (gas) & no spark.

[Technical Support]

Re: 97 GTX - No Spark NO IDEA?

If you don't want to do the test, have a dealer take a look, they can test your MPEM (the ignition computer).

[trent1NY]

Re: 97 GTX - No Spark NO IDEA?

O.k. I tested the battery while cranking and only got 11.34 volts. I also tried jumping the battery with another boat battery and still the same voltage from the battery terminals (11.34v). I tried a diagnostic test (start button 5 times then attach the laniard & hit start again) - after hitting start 5 times - I got one short beep and one long beep & the display read Hi TEMP - and the red warning light was flashing? I want to mention that since I have owned this ski (4 years) even with a new battery the 12 volt low seemed to ALWAYS be flashing when you put in the laniard. I hope this helps figure out the problem. Can you also tell me what & where is the MEPM & CDI? Thanks

[Technical Support]

Re: 97 GTX - No Spark NO IDEA?

Your battery is shot, as I suspected. Get a new battery, and fully charge it. If you still read low voltage, get a new charger. The MPEM is the CDI, it's found in the electrical box - follow the plug wires.

[trent1NY]

Re: 97 GTX - No Spark NO IDEA?

Battery charger is brand new - Just bought a new battery this morning - fully charged it (14 hours) and still no spark? Please advise... Thanks!

[Technical Support]

Re: 97 GTX - No Spark NO IDEA?

'Brand New' doesn't mean good. Did you test your voltage again after all that??

[trent1NY]

Re: 97 GTX - No Spark NO IDEA?

I have tried three different batteries. One I pulled out of my buddies ski - he just had his running. A brand new battery that worked on my buddies ski and my old battery. I have tried two different chargers also. The voltage on the batteries was around 13.13. As soon as you crank on them - the voltage drops to around 11.49. I do not believe the battery or the charger is the issue here and who can afford to keep buying batteries and chargers? I have swapped out the black water tight boxes from my buddies ski - and still no spark. What else can it be? I have checked ALL the fuses on the ski (in the computer too). Now the starter is kicking out when you start to crank it. Please advise me of what else to check. My concern now is the temps in NY are dropping into the freezing - I live near buffalo - have you seen the 20" of snow? My ski is NOT winterized - and I have only a slightly warmed garage to keep my ski in... Can I pump the RV antifreeze thru the ski without having the engine run? Will it flood into the cylinders? Did you read what I had said about the ski always showing 12 volt low? And about the high temp flashing when you run a test? Running out of ideas and time - keep the helpful info coming please...

[Technical Support]

Re: 97 GTX - No Spark NO IDEA?

Try a new starter then. No you can not winterize without it running.

[Bill O'Neal2]

Re: 97 GTX - No Spark NO IDEA?

The 97 GTX has an ignition pickup and a stator and either one can cause a loss of spark, as well as a bad CDI or coil.
You really need to be looking over a few of those things to find out why you get no spark.

[trent1NY]

Re: 97 GTX - No Spark NO IDEA?

I took the ski about 200 miles away to a trustworthy seadoo/skidoo shop. They looked things over and told me I had a bad electrical module (computer)? They told me it would be $630 bucks for the computer... Does this sound right to you? The tech told me he tested everything he could and found the computer was bad? They have me up against a wall because the sea doo not winterized yet... Do the computers go in the ski's often? The tech told me he just replaced one for another customer about 2 months ago and it was a common problem... Please advise before I spend 750 bucks, and is there a way to test & fix the problem in the computers? Thanks...

[Technical Support]

Re: 97 GTX - No Spark NO IDEA?

Yes they can be tested, yes it's a failry common problem. If that's your problem or not, I can't say - I'm not there and I didn't see the test. If he says it's bad get a return policy for it in writting if it doesn't fix the problem - simple.

[trent1NY]

Re: 97 GTX - No Spark NO IDEA?

I will get that in writing from them. Are there parts in the computer that can be replaced or is a common problem that once one thing fails inside the computer - the entire thing is shot? Can the computer be sent out and tested for a reasonable price is so where?

Thanks,
Terry

[Technical Support]

Re: 97 GTX - No Spark NO IDEA?

No it can not be repaired, and it's a sealed unit.