[Fenny1]

Has anyone had a problem with their Spark being slow to get going? I've done around 14 hours on it and never had a problem however this weekend i went out and it took a while for the acceleration to kick in, even Sport mode wasn't as responsive as it should be.

I'll be contacting the dealer but wondered if anyone else has experienced this?

 

[RunItTwice]

I have experienced this in touring mode. Not yet in sport mode.

 

[Fenny1]

Any idea what could be the cause?

 

[Justin Pieters]

Switch it to Sport Mode, I do it every time. Press and hold the button by the display, and it will enter Sport Mode.

 

[RunItTwice]

OK, Now I am having the problem in sport mode, I was riding along, planning to do a 180, turned the bars, squeezed the throttle (in sports mode) and then nothing.

Happened again later, still in sports mode, after a 180, and I had no power to restabilize. Almost capsized.

Gotta call the dealer tomorrow. Would love to get this fixed when I do my handlebars.

 

[Fenny1]

Thanks Justin - but it was having the same issue in Sport mode....i've emailed the dealer to see if they have any ideas.

 

[Fenny1]

Dealers response...... "Have you accidentally sucked up a stone? You could have damaged the prop / wear ring this would cause it to be sluggish."

Admittedly not that helpful but i'll look underneath and check it tonight!

 

[JohnSWE]

Heat related maybe?

 

[Fenny1]

Possibly JohnSWE but as an absolute novice at this i would'nt know where to start looking to see if it was a heat problem!

 

[seaking]

at least now you have some things to look at which could very well be what's causing the issue.

keep us posted on your findings once you look under your spark.

 

[serpent710]

Pull the pump off the back of the ski. Easy 3 bolts if you don't have IBR. With the pupmp out you can see everything. Should only take you 15 to 30 min. depending on if you have IBR.

 

[Fenny1]

Quick update - checked underneath, no damage to the impeller or wear ring. Took the ski out in the sea on Saturday and was absolutely fine, no sluggishness at all. The wife even capsized it and was upside down for a couple of minutes but after running it slowly for a while afterwards the water had gone and it ran like a dream.

Still not sure why it was sluggish a couple of weeks back but as it's all fine now i'm not too worried!

 

[Fenny1]

Thanks for the info btw serpent

 

[baldock88]

I have found that if you still have the handlebars fully turned, you can't power out easily because there is a the auto steering correction system that takes over to make sure you have the ability to turn. I can't remember what it is called, but if you straigten out your handlebars a bit, does it improve the response? I have to take my steering column just off the max where the auto correction kicks in and then I'm fine...

 

[serpent710]

Thanks for the info btw serpent

That's what we are all here for. HELP-----not to bash the brand

 

[serpent710]

I have found that if you still have the handlebars fully turned, you can't power out easily because there is a the auto steering correction system that takes over to make sure you have the ability to turn. I can't remember what it is called, but if you straigten out your handlebars a bit, does it improve the response? I have to take my steering column just off the max where the auto correction kicks in and then I'm fine...

The ski does not have auto-steering. Steering is just a rod attached to a cable that runs to the pump housing. The steering you get now when at idle is the pump still working enough to allow for steering but not enought to push you foward to much.

 

[baldock88]

The ski does not have auto-steering. Steering is just a rod attached to a cable that runs to the pump housing. The steering you get now when at idle is the pump still working enough to allow for steering but not enought to push you foward to much.

Wasn't referring to auto-steering, I just didn't quote the name correctly. It is a direct connected steering rod. Maybe it is because I have the iBR package, but its OTAS (off-throttle assisted steering). If the steering is fully turned while coming out of a turn (slowing down) the iTC takes over and gives power to keep you turning. I have found this can sometimes cause a lag or hold back the powering out of a turn. Was just a thought

 

[serpent710]

correct, it gives you power. It will help you steer. Does not matter how far you turn. Older XP and other skis back in the day , once you let off the throttle that was it. No steering. OTAS is just the engine still letting you steer off throttle.

 

[Paula]

Possibly JohnSWE but as an absolute novice at this i would'nt know where to start looking to see if it was a heat problem!

Fenny, have you gotten your recall letters? You say you are a novice so i feel I should warn you.

Both of our brand new jet skis have 5 recalls combined. Both for steering and both for an engine issue that could cause a fire!!!! The other one on my husbands is not really a safety issue but luckily we found a good dealer who was on the ball and typed in our VIN numbers to find the other issues as we were only notified about the handle bars and steering issue!

Please contact your dealer and please do not ride until you know you are doing so safely!!!!

 

[Fenny1]

Fenny, have you gotten your recall letters? You say you are a novice so i feel I should warn you.

Both of our brand new jet skis have 5 recalls combined. Both for steering and both for an engine issue that could cause a fire!!!! The other one on my husbands is not really a safety issue but luckily we found a good dealer who was on the ball and typed in our VIN numbers to find the other issues as we were only notified about the handle bars and steering issue!

Please contact your dealer and please do not ride until you know you are doing so safely!!!!

Paula, no recall letter as yet, my dealer also hasn't received the list but thank you for the concern however....i have over 16 hours of hard riding in the sea, jumping waves, spins, towing inflatables and kneeboards, racing round a course with other skis and i may be lucky so far but have had no problems other than a slight glitch in the power a couple of weeks ago that seems to have now rectified itself.

Best of luck with your issues