2001 GTX-RFI "Limp Mode"

[jtackle]

When my daughter was out on the seadoo this past weekend it went into what I suspect is limp mode in the last 100 yards of a 3 mile ride. I am not sure it was limp mode but she said it cut power immediately and when she gave it full throttle it did not increase, but kept running and she was able to get back to the dock.

I thought she might have sucked something in but nope.

The 12V Low was flashing she tells me but it started just fine, as it had earlier that day. I tried to start it and it barely engaged the starter and no turn over.

I charged th battery and voila...all fine. Just seems odds since she was running 3/4 speed at the time and at the end of a 3 mile run.

Question: what are ALL the conditions that might cause the GTX-RFI to go into limp mode so I have the ful list iof possibilties.

Plus...any other ideas here, in case I have assumed wrong on my limp mode assessment

Thx

[kneeboardpro9]

Re: 2001 GTX-RFI "Limp Mode"

check your volts while running. Could be the rectifier as it slowly drained the battery and then not enough power to run full. Ours did the same two weeks ago and was the rectifier. it ran fine all day and then suddenly, only partial throttle. check plugs and voltage first.

[Technical Support]

Re: 2001 GTX-RFI "Limp Mode"

As Ken said check your electrical system for charging, You might just be running off the battery power and when the battery gets low it goes into limp mode.

[jtackle]

Re: 2001 GTX-RFI "Limp Mode"

Thx for the advice. I will do it this weekend when at the lake.

Three follow-up questions (sorry for the need for more education!!)

1) I assume I hook a volt meter up to the battery terminals and go for a ride to watch what happens. Right? What voltages should i see at idle and near WOT?

2) What will I notice if there is a charging problem?

3) If there is a problem, is the rectifier the most probable cause? Where the heck is the rectifier?

Thx

[jtackle]

Re: 2001 GTX-RFI "Limp Mode"

bump....any help with my questions in my follow-up questions in the post ?

[dsolie]

Re: 2001 GTX-RFI "Limp Mode"

You can hook up the VM to the batt an just start it on the trailer... See if the voltage rises as you reach 3k rpm

[kneeboardpro9]

Re: 2001 GTX-RFI "Limp Mode"

sorry for taking so long...been having problems with my car.....

As dan said, just take your seat off and use your VM and start on the trailer. It should read about 13 or so if your rectifier is charging. if its not charging, after starting, it will return to the volts beofre starting and drop from there. let me know how it does.

I'll be on the water this weekend so ill check on sunday. if you have a question, 251-979-0195. Ill be on our sea doo's!

Ken

[jbenjamin]

Re: 2001 GTX-RFI "Limp Mode"

I have a 1999 GTX RFI and have had the exact same problem. What I found was that the rectifier had failed. I started with a fully charged battery and after an hour or two the "low voltage" warning came on and the ski went into limp mode. I bought a new rectifier last year and it has been running fine since. Here is a link to a picture of what it looks like.

http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.p...z9i0lm&thumb=4

Hope this helps.

John

[jtackle]

Re: 2001 GTX-RFI "Limp Mode"

Thx for the info, help and pic.

I charged the battery overnight @ 2A to make sure it had a good charge.

Ugly weather so I did not take if for a long ride, but on a short ride it was was performing fine.

I followed your advice to test out the charging system. Today at the lake I put on a volt meter, 12.3V before starting, then got up to about 17V at about 4k. I understand that the voltage should stay between 13-15V is all is OK. So I concluded, as you folks have eductaed me...."ahh...its the regulator"!

So I trailered it home to fix it.

BUT....just now out on the driveway I did the same test. Same voltage before starting. But when I started it and increased the rpm the voltage did not climb to 17V like a few hours before at the lake, but actually decreased to 11.6V. I tried it 3 times (stop, start, test) just to be sure. Even tried to different VMs

I am now confused!

Is this just more proof that the regulator is toast or is there something else i should try?

MANY thanks for the guidance.

[dsolie]

Re: 2001 GTX-RFI "Limp Mode"

Your reg should never hit 17v! That was probably it's last Hooray.. I would def. change the rectifier.

[kneeboardpro9]

Re: 2001 GTX-RFI "Limp Mode"

Dan is right. The rectifier should never hit above around 14.5. That is with all regulators/rectifiers for engines. I found our rectifier for less than $100 NEW from a sea doo dealer here in Alabama. I will look at the receipt and give you the web site if you want it. We have put it on and had no problems.

[jtackle]

Re: 2001 GTX-RFI "Limp Mode"

kneeboardpro9...thx for the offer. Iwent out an bought a new one and all is now fine. Unfortunately here in Canada, the rectifier is $186 plus taxes. Ouch!!

[dsolie]

Re: 2001 GTX-RFI "Limp Mode"

HAH!! See? Our dollar is still worth more... in some occasions lol.