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Rotax owners keep this handy

ScarabMike

Jetboaters Admiral
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Location
Green Cove Springs, FL
Boat Make
Scarab
Year
2014
Boat Model
HO Impulse
Boat Length
19
This is for all of you Rotax powered boats, and PWCs.

This weekend I finished some good TLC on my Scarab. I washed it, and was going to run the engine to check my fluids. I ran into this problem, and the solution was cheap, but not easy to find at all. I figure I would pass this along.

Let me give you a back story so you guys can read the symptoms.

Over the winter my boat got minimal usage. I would run the engine once a couple weeks to get some fluid though it. About 2 months ago, I started to notice that there was times where my boat would not fire or crank on the first try with the key. I would finally get it to go after a couple, sometimes a few more.

Finally this weekend it wouldn't crank at all.

I checked the breakers in the battery switch panel, and checked all of the fuses, and connections. All good.

I checked all of the grounds, and cables from the battery to the starter. This lead me to believe that the starter solenoid was bad. This is located on the rear fuse box, and has 2 red cables attached to it. You can bypass this, and test the starter by touching both sides of it. This will make your starter turn. If this happens, then you know your starter is good.

Ok, so that led me to believe that my starter solenoid was bad, no biggie. You can get a new one online for a few bucks. Here is what it looks like. (but this was not the problem)


Now, here is here i found out that even though it had all the symptoms, the solenoid wasn't the issue.

If you place your key on "run" position, and you bypass the solenoid, the engine will crank and start IF the solenoid was the issue, guess what, it did not run.

Here was the solution after a few hours troubleshooting......

In the rear fuse box, there are two relays. They will both click. This will make you believe that they are good to go. One says engine ignition, the other says boat electrical or in my seadoo it says Canbus relay.

To test these you have to physically pull them out. shake them and listen carefully. If one of these fail especially the boat electrical one, the engine will prep itself, the cluster will sweep, and then it will not crank.

Here is a picture of this relay. It is a $4 part, and the dealers will want to charge you $40-50 for it, plus 2 hours of labor to replace it.

I advise all of you to keep a couple handy in your emergency equipment in your watercraft. These will cause you some headaches, and a ton of cash to fix. Especially with Scarab, Glastron, and Chaparral dealers that are not knowledgeable as they should be.

IMG_1416.JPG-1.jpeg
 

Pirana

Jet Boat Junkie
Messages
225
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Location
TX
Boat Make
Scarab
Year
2016
Boat Model
HO Impulse
Boat Length
25
Good to know....thanks
 

NavyShooter

Jet Boat Junkie
Messages
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Reaction score
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Location
Windsor Junction, NS
Boat Make
Glastron
Year
2015
Boat Model
GT
Boat Length
18
Is there a recommended spares list for rotax owners? I have a Glastron 187 with a 150HP Rotax in it.
 

ScarabMike

Jetboaters Admiral
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Location
Green Cove Springs, FL
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Year
2014
Boat Model
HO Impulse
Boat Length
19

ALAN MANN SR.

Jet Boat Junkie
Messages
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Location
Wimauma, Florida
Boat Make
Scarab
Year
2015
Boat Model
HO Impulse
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16
Well I was going to take my 165 out today and always check to make sure it will start before putting it in the water. Would not start, same symptom. Turn key to run, cluster does it sweep, turn key to start nothing. Everything looked good, removed clip from kill switch, turned key to start pushed kill switch in with finger, started right up. Put clip back on, started back up. Away I went to boat ramp, put in water and had no problem the rest of the day. Had a blast. Don't know the legality of bypassing the kill switch, I know on skis it is not legal. Just my two cents.
 

ScarabMike

Jetboaters Admiral
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Location
Green Cove Springs, FL
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Scarab
Year
2014
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HO Impulse
Boat Length
19
The dead man switch should be the first thing you check!! LOL. Have fun out there Alan!

Well I was going to take my 165 out today and always check to make sure it will start before putting it in the water. Would not start, same symptom. Turn key to run, cluster does it sweep, turn key to start nothing. Everything looked good, removed clip from kill switch, turned key to start pushed kill switch in with finger, started right up. Put clip back on, started back up. Away I went to boat ramp, put in water and had no problem the rest of the day. Had a blast. Don't know the legality of bypassing the kill switch, I know on skis it is not legal. Just my two cents.
 

R502

Well-Known Member
Messages
33
Reaction score
22
Points
57
Boat Make
Scarab
Year
2015
Boat Model
HO Impulse
Boat Length
16
The dead man switch should be the first thing you check!! LOL. Have fun out there Alan!
The closest wiring diagram I can find (without paying for it) for a 2015 165 HOI is for a 2105 Spark. It shows a relay that closes a circuit to the starter solenoid, the coil ground being switched by the ECU. Is this the relay that failed on you?
I am always a bit miffed at the fact that Scarab has not released a vehicle specific diagram, at least the one I own.
 

Elio195HOI

Jetboaters Lieutenant
Messages
195
Reaction score
121
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157
Location
Miramar, Florida
Boat Make
Yamaha
Year
2021
Boat Model
X
Boat Length
Other
This is for all of you Rotax powered boats, and PWCs.

This weekend I finished some good TLC on my Scarab. I washed it, and was going to run the engine to check my fluids. I ran into this problem, and the solution was cheap, but not easy to find at all. I figure I would pass this along.

Let me give you a back story so you guys can read the symptoms.

Over the winter my boat got minimal usage. I would run the engine once a couple weeks to get some fluid though it. About 2 months ago, I started to notice that there was times where my boat would not fire or crank on the first try with the key. I would finally get it to go after a couple, sometimes a few more.

Finally this weekend it wouldn't crank at all.

I checked the breakers in the battery switch panel, and checked all of the fuses, and connections. All good.

I checked all of the grounds, and cables from the battery to the starter. This lead me to believe that the starter solenoid was bad. This is located on the rear fuse box, and has 2 red cables attached to it. You can bypass this, and test the starter by touching both sides of it. This will make your starter turn. If this happens, then you know your starter is good.

Ok, so that led me to believe that my starter solenoid was bad, no biggie. You can get a new one online for a few bucks. Here is what it looks like. (but this was not the problem)


Now, here is here i found out that even though it had all the symptoms, the solenoid wasn't the issue.

If you place your key on "run" position, and you bypass the solenoid, the engine will crank and start IF the solenoid was the issue, guess what, it did not run.

Here was the solution after a few hours troubleshooting......

In the rear fuse box, there are two relays. They will both click. This will make you believe that they are good to go. One says engine ignition, the other says boat electrical or in my seadoo it says Canbus relay.

To test these you have to physically pull them out. shake them and listen carefully. If one of these fail especially the boat electrical one, the engine will prep itself, the cluster will sweep, and then it will not crank.

Here is a picture of this relay. It is a $4 part, and the dealers will want to charge you $40-50 for it, plus 2 hours of labor to replace it.

I advise all of you to keep a couple handy in your emergency equipment in your watercraft. These will cause you some headaches, and a ton of cash to fix. Especially with Scarab, Glastron, and Chaparral dealers that are not knowledgeable as they should be.

View attachment 54124
Had this same issue and it took MM several hours and Phone calls to BRP to figure out. Thanks for the part numbers.
 

Briwhy

Jetboaters Lieutenant
Messages
202
Reaction score
124
Points
157
Location
Saxonburg PA
Boat Make
Glastron
Year
2015
Boat Model
GTS
Boat Length
21
Thanks I ordered 4. Being broke down on the water isn't fun.
 

ALAN MANN SR.

Jet Boat Junkie
Messages
165
Reaction score
60
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Location
Wimauma, Florida
Boat Make
Scarab
Year
2015
Boat Model
HO Impulse
Boat Length
16
The closest wiring diagram I can find (without paying for it) for a 2015 165 HOI is for a 2105 Spark. It shows a relay that closes a circuit to the starter solenoid, the coil ground being switched by the ECU. Is this the relay that failed on you?
I am always a bit miffed at the fact that Scarab has not released a vehicle specific diagram, at least the one I own.
I own a 2015 165 HO and the two relays I think Mike is talking about is marked Power Shutdown and 12V accessory's. The one that he is talking about is, I am guessing is the Power Shutdown which is activated by the kill switch excuse me ( Dead Man Switch ) Which I replaced to keep from having trouble with it. And yes it is a shame that you can't get a wire diagram for a Scarab Boat. Just have to go with Sea-doo for parts brake down.
 

KXCam22

Jetboaters Admiral
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Location
Kamloops BC
Boat Make
Yamaha
Year
2008
Boat Model
AR
Boat Length
23
Coming from an electrical background, it is amazing how many $50 dealer electrical devices can be sourced for $1 or 2. I found my mercruiser $120 starter solenoid at lordco for $10. I did have to paint it. Cam.
 

Mighty Peace

Well-Known Member
Messages
20
Reaction score
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Location
Alberta
Boat Make
SeaDoo
Year
2012
Boat Model
Challenger
Boat Length
21
Sucks the Seller will not ship the clamp to Canada .

Looks like a better setup than the Seadoo version.
 

John P Jones

Jet Boat Addict
Messages
44
Reaction score
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Boat Make
Scarab
Year
2014
Boat Model
HO Impulse
Boat Length
21
The closest wiring diagram I can find (without paying for it) for a 2015 165 HOI is for a 2105 Spark. It shows a relay that closes a circuit to the starter solenoid, the coil ground being switched by the ECU. Is this the relay that failed on you?
I am always a bit miffed at the fact that Scarab has not released a vehicle specific diagram, at least the one I own.

I've been looking for engine maintenance manual for 4-Tech 200's. Also for a Scarab. Can't find anything. Very frustrating that the dealer/servicer doesn't seem to have a clue.
 

John P Jones

Jet Boat Addict
Messages
44
Reaction score
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Boat Make
Scarab
Year
2014
Boat Model
HO Impulse
Boat Length
21
Thanks. Want to see what the dealer is going to offer up before putting down $100 for the manual.
Any less expensive used ones around?
 

Ronnie

Jetboaters Fleet Admiral
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Location
SF Bay Area
Boat Make
Yamaha
Year
2010
Boat Model
Limited S
Boat Length
24
So what is the reason that the subject relay keeps failing?
 

Slugger55

Jetboaters Captain
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Location
Jasper, AL
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Other
Year
2019
Boat Model
Other
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Other
Ok Gents, I bought four relays back on April 16th and I just had my first "The F**king Boat won't turn over" experiences. I replaced the relay and she cranked right over. Not to mention that I broke the relay cover when working on it... Ran the boat all day yesterday and she ran like a champ!!
 

Kyle Mekulik

Jet Boat Lover
Messages
57
Reaction score
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Location
Newburgh New York
Boat Make
Glastron
Year
2015
Boat Model
GTS
Boat Length
18
Thanks. Want to see what the dealer is going to offer up before putting down $100 for the manual.
Any less expensive used ones around?
give me your email i have a a adobe version that should give you the info you need
 
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