2001 Seadoo GTX RFI Starter seized engine...

[oppeau]

Here's my problem: When pushing the starter button I can only hear the starter relay. Nothing from the starter. The battery is being loaded down to 6 volts when trying to start. Pulled the plugs and verified I could not turn the engine by hand using the flywheel on the rear of the motor. Jet drive is clear of any obstructions. <br /><br />Pulled the starter, what a pain, Now the engine can be turned by hand. Appears the starter was binding the flywheel ring gear. I tested the starter stand-alone with the battery, turns fine, I did notice the front shaft appears to spin slightly out of round, hum... That's where I'm at. Any known issues with the starter? Thanks in advance..

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: 2001 Seadoo GTX RFI Starter seized engine...

replace the bendex gear on the starter, and inspect the brushes, also the battery should not drop to 6 volts on a dead draw so I suspect it has a few weak cells it should not go below 11 volts with a dead load on it

 

[oppeau]

Re: 2001 Seadoo GTX RFI Starter seized engine...

The bendex gear appears to work ok, I think the bendex gear was some how stuck in the flywheel ring gear and counldn't retract, that why I couldn't turn the engine over by hand until the starter was removed..

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: 2001 Seadoo GTX RFI Starter seized engine...

you said it looked bent if it is it will get stuck again if it does just turn the engine backward by hand using the rear flywheel that will release the bendex, a bad battery will cause the gear to get stuck you probably need a new battery

 

[oppeau]

Re: 2001 Seadoo GTX RFI Starter seized engine...

My battery is 2 months old, seems Ok, bike ran great with no battery issues. The engine was seized so tight I couldn't turn it either way to break the starter loose even with the plugs out. From what I've been reading the stock starters are junk and I should go with a aftermarket.

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: 2001 Seadoo GTX RFI Starter seized engine...

I have used both and I would stick with a stock starter I had an after mkt one detach the magnets on the shaft that drove me and the starter company crazy trying to find out why it worked on the bench but not when installed, I finally discovered that the center of the armature was slipping under a load. if the armature shaft is bent the starter needs to be replaced, I also had a new after mkt starter that would work one time and not another on reason, took it back to the company and once again they were unable to find the reason, installed a factory starter and it still works perfectly, so don't believe that an after market starter is better than an original one . I refuse to use them after having trouble with two of them .