1996 Sea-Doo XP Common Electrical Issues Fixed in Detail 

Well I can say this. I came to the right channel.just got one for 20 dollars and with your help I try to fix it .thanks for video!

I’ve been all threw RU-vid looking for videos jet ski start troubleshooting. Your the only one that delivers. Easy on my ears and eyes. Keep making more your good at this bro.

You wouldn’t think these DESS posts go bad but they do! Very helpful video

This is exactly what my Sea-Doo is doing. This is was the best youtube video out of the many that I watched.

And this is a how a video is done.... All information about the task at hand and not once did he start talking about the neighbors cat or what his wife asked him to do or what the fucking weather is like.... Thank you so much for an awesome and very helpful video.

Thank you for taking time out of your life to make this video. I am waiting for my part to come in th enext couple days. wish me luck. your video gave me more confidence I CAN DO IT ! thanks to a good teacher

Very helpful video I had the same issue and this helped me get mine running. Thanks man.

Fantastic RU-vids -Many thanks-By watching your RU-vids I was able to diagnose by issue and fix my sea doo Speedster 150 4-tec- Please keep them up as you explain in layman terms with easy instructions-Again many thanks

Crossing the two large terminals on the solenoid should activate the starter motor. All it's doing is making a direct connection to the battery. Oh yeah, good vid. Thanks for posting this!

Great video! Excellent step by step process and said very clearly!

Very useful and well explained.. thanks Adam.

excellent video. One of the best I've seen-direct and to the point also giving us wisdom of possible mistakes.

Dang you know your stuff bro , very useful information , I wish I could barrow you to troubleshoot what electrical issues my 1996 Kawasaki Klr enduro is having so I get that baby running

had a similar issue. got the 2 beebs but the start stop wasn't working and my compass direction wasn't indicating. i located the middle plug on my computer where those wires were routed to and i found 2 pins that were not touching their sockets. i didn't think there was anything wrong because i tone tested the start stop switch. i re set those pins by pushing them in and wala!!!!! it all works. the certified sea doo mechanic that replaced the computer never found the issue and said it was faulty. Don't always trust them. do some work until your problem. what made me find it was that the owner ( my neighbor) always had trouble with the switch and never had the compass working. so don't always assume the switch is bad. Hope this helps some of you. btw.. great post

I subscribed thanks again for taking the time to do this for us

Thanks for taking the time to make this video .

Very precise and helpful. Thank you.

Excellent video! Thank you so much. Very thorough.

totally awesome video man ! huge thanks

Really good video. I don't have this problem on my jet ski, thankfully. But if I do, I know how to troubleshoot. Thanks!

Dude super helpful thanks

Working through the same issues now thanks for taking the time to help others

Thanks for the help great video!

Dude what a great video. I followed and bubam mine works. Thanks buddy

Excellent video

thank you i needed this

Very useful. Thanks

Thank you very much for this video solved my issue

Nice vid! Thank you, thank you!

very helpful video, thanks!

Great video

Very helpful...i just managed to figure out mine. Thanks bud

Great 👍 video

you have the very best most helpful videos about seadoo on youtube!, thank you very much , really helps bring clarity to my electrical problems, although i have a crank, i have no spark, mpem on 97 is totally different than 96 and no aftermarket available,, so im going to retrofit mine with the 96xp, also the 97 doesnt have the nice gauges like a 96 only fuel and vts and rpm

I have a feeling that your video is going to be the "end all" to get me ready for lake season. I got to the point where I jumped the starter solenoid, and it threw out some sparks. Is it safe to assume then that the starter is bad since there was an obvious connection?

Great video, I’m thinking of getting a 97 with a bad starter, or other issue

Does the key make a difference if it's an off-brand is there some sort of a magnetic circuit that makes it work correctly

Hope you can help me. 96 GSX. The starter box got flooded so I replaced it with a different one. Now when I place the lanyard I get 2 short beeps and 4 long beeps. I've checked all the fuses in the rear and front boxes (all good) but haven't found the issue. Any suggestions?

Thank you so much

I’m having issues with the bilage pump, emergency shutoff, and trim. How do I check the control switch because it seems odd all would fail.

Thanks for the video. do you have any idea what would cause the gauge to have nothing working on it? the ski will start and run fine, but none of the lights on the multi function gauge work or come on at all. They dont have any readings.

How do you get the electrical box out mine is like jameed between the engine and hull?

I bought xp 96 it doesn't want to start only when you put a little bit of gas in the carb is there a fuel pump in this XP 96 do I need to replace a fuel sending unit

Awesome video. It helped a ton on my 1999 gsx!! Would you happen to know why after installing a new VTS motor on the 99 gsx I still cannot get it to work? Any tips or advice? Thank you

Hey, good video. Any Idea why my 99 GTX Limited will die randomly on water? It just cuts out completely. After a days rest it will run, but do the same thing all over again. Not sure where to start?

Can you just replace the switch or do you also need the key that goes with it

Awesome thanks

Got a question for ya. My ski wouldn’t crank or nothing so I replaced the solenoid, cause when I opened the box it was all corroded and rusty but after I swapped the new one nothing changed, tried jumping the solenoid and it started to crank over, pulled my starter and tested it it works fine. Could it possible be my start stop switch, some of the connections in the box look corroded but I wouldn’t think there corroded enough to make it not start, also changed all my leads from the starter to box and the ground and positive to the battery.

You did that like a pro. I'm watching this cause my issue is the batery led came on and stayed on today. I took a big wave over the front yesterday wondering if that has anything to do with it? The gauge has a low voltage part to it. That's why it's on but if tested the battery and its high 12s. Bad gauge?? Thanks

great video, thank you...just fyi on the battery voltage, 12.2v is too low, it needs a charge. A full charge should run around 12.4-12.7v

Hi I have a 1996 Sea-Doo GSX and when I put the key in it beeps and then when I hit the start button it beeps one time but doesn’t do anything. I’ve checked my start switch my key switch and all of the fuses. I can’t seem to find the issue. Can you help me out?

Hi Adam mate I was wondering if you come across an issue before I've got a fault on my Sea-Doo gtx Rotax engine 1997 I believe when I put the key on the display panel comes on for 1 second then goes off but when I push the starter button it comes on again and off if I remove the key and wait ,5 to 6 second and put the key on it does the same the display panel is not staying lit any help would be much appreciated regards Geoff

What does the little ground wire on the battery terminal go to?

Do you have a detailed pic of the electrical box where each wire goes

I have a 98 GSK limited and with the key ON the post, I get a Ohms reading. With the key OFF the post I get nothing......so is this a bad key? I replaced the DESS post this morning. I am baffeled. Please help!

What if you hooked up the starter wiring up wrong do you have to pull the starter back off I bought a jetsky and someone hooked it up wrong how do I fix it

Just a heads up when you put the screw driver across both posts on the solenoid the starter will turn over without pushing the starter button. Your putting power straight to the starter

How about if you get a B-1655 lock out code? And how do you clear the code? (2005 GTX)

I've been looking thru forums and videos but I cannot figure out why mine is turning over without the DES on. I looked over the rear box and it needs attention. I re tightened the fittings and now it's dead completely.

So i have the same issue. I tested the voltage on the negative and positive wire on the solenoid. Measures 12.6. But nothing is happening. When i jump the solenoid it cranks over. What is the issue

My no start problem on my 1995 HX was the fact that the nut for the screw on the positive terminal had come loose and there was no connection. Glad it did t happen on the water.

My buddies 1995 xp 700 has a rebuilt engine...when it gets hot it wants to shut off..lf you wait a bit it starts up and runs..what could be wrong ??

Hey man when positive not connected to battery I get a light test positive on both part of solenoid, when I connect positive cable to battery the light stops for the positive side of solenoid, left side of solenoid still lights, fuses are good

I have the same issue but mine cranks over when i cross the solenoid but wont fire does that mean its the solenoid

Dang I jumped the solenoid in the turns over I checked the lanyard and it has no arms and it still won’t turn over my only other possibility could be the start stop button I think I’m not sure what else could be can anyone help?

Hello Adam this Rob , I been watching your videos because I have a 1991 seadoo gt with no spark I have tested all the electricals but nothing my question is does a 1991 seadoo needs a programed key ? Or it can be by pass? In order to get it started? Because I don't have a key. Thanks.

I put the screw driver accross the selinoid post and got NOTHING. The battery is good. So, is this indicating that the starter that is bad? See my comment below. I have never had gages or beeper working....I am stumped. PLEASE advise!

1997 spx clicks and trim button does not work. Fuses good starter good new solenold .12 volts to the solenold. Test light lights on the trigger side of the solenold when start button is pressed. Also gets 2 beeps when the lanyard is plugged in New battery. What else ??

Very helpful. Only thing I was confused about is jumping the solenoid. Even if the switch is bad it will still turn the starter when you jump it with a screwdriver. I always thought that was how you knew if it was good or bad. Am I doing it wrong? lol

Hey guys seadoo gti 97 I grounded starter hot wire now no beep any ideas all fuses good lanyard good ect

Testing my start stop switch and it's open but when I push the start stop it jumps all over the place. It has straight continuity when I hold it down but trying to ohm out per manufacturer spec and it's just jumping everywhere. Can I safety assume switch is good since i have closed contact?

I have a 96 with a bad dess switch, 3rd time. Is there a way to convert to the earlier plunger style switch? Do we just solder in a resistor to match the readings and install a different style kill switch? Thanks

Hey I really appreciate this video! I just picked up a 93 xp the previous owner changed the solenoid melted a wire and gave up the black wire from the flywheel and I'm having a hard time sourcing a wire diagram for it is there anyway you could help me with a pic?

Do you have any experience troubleshooting a 97 GTI MPEM?

Hey adam . How do test dess key ?

Thank you..

I was able to get the engine to crank with the screwdriver trick. So, I'm assuming I just need to replace the starter solenoid. Sound right?

What if no matter what you do the five amp fuse always breaks

I'm not getting power to my push start but I can crank it over with a screwdriver that means selanod is no good right ? Could that be why I'm not getting spark ???

Can you bypass the safety switch?

Hey , when i boost my battery the seadoo starts and can run for hours , but as soon as i stop the seadoo doesnt start anymore ... helppp

mine periodically begins to start but then nothing. HELP I put in a new seloniod and battery

Hey Adam, I was out on my 1996 SPX and it was running perfect and then died down and wouldn’t start. Tried many times and just get a beep when I hit start. Pulled it out of the water and noticed the drain plug was open. I took it home and cleaned out all water and dried everything. It only had maybe 3 inches or water in the hull. Just for precaution I put in new plugs, changed oil and fuel filter while I had it open, cleaned everything really good and still no luck, just a beep when I hit start, I checked all fuses in the box, put a new solenoid in, still no luck. I tested all wires going to DESS post and start button and still nothing. Any ideas? When I put the key on its recognized and when I hit start all gauges light up and I get a single loud beep. Jumping solenoid with screwdriver did cause it to crank so I replaced that per another video. Please help. I’m lost.

I have a 97 XP, was running fine and died out on the water. NO power to anything now, no start no beeps no anything. Dead. Noticed it was beeping lately, sometimes just 1 beep. Could this be the Dess post or possibly a fuse? Plan to diagnose tomorrow.

Friends borrowed our 96 for the 4th of July. They called said it died on the lake, they lost the deadman cord. How do I start it to get it back to the boat launch, about 5 miles away. Thank you

Does this apply for 1998 sea doos

My Jetski Have weak spark ⚡️ Do you know what can be wrong

great video, a question: what happens if you connect the battery wires wrong? the red wire in negative pole and black wire in the positive pole of the battery? i just did it and now my xp is dead, thanks and sorry for my english, greetings for Argentina

I can't find the extra wire that goes to the ground of the battery. It feels like I have a short

I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM CAN YOU FIX MY SEE.DOO

My 5 amp fuse keeps blowing everytime I put one in there. The one next to the 15amp fuse. Any thoughts on how to fix?

Good morning, I know this is an old post but I'm hoping this comment will get to you. Can you tell me how I can test a 06 RXP VTS switch?

You could of done continuity test instead of resistance on your switch got same results the resistance reading doesn’t really matter when it should be open. Only mention because hearing the sound is better and easier to understand for some people.

Hey man. Whenever you put a screw driver across a silinoid that Jumps the starter an turns the engine over. So idk why your telling people to put a screw driver across and hit the starter button That does not tell you anything

This is odd starter solenoid should always spark the red incoming wire is straight from the battery the other red wire is to the starter ... shorting them just creates the circuit regardless of key absence or presence ... I don't understand how you don't get a spark shorting them.

when you bridged the two red wires at the solenoid if the starter was good it would have cranked without pushing the start button

I have this Seadoo

Great video. But. Jumping the solenoid would only test your starter and not the solenoid. But thanks for the info.

Looks like you have a 10 amp fuse where a 5 should be in the back box.

You know what your talking about