Volvo D2-40 electrical problem
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Category: Hints & Tips
Forum Name: 415/418
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URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10373
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Topic: Volvo D2-40 electrical problem
Posted By: catarch
Subject: Volvo D2-40 electrical problem
Date Posted: 16 July 2017 at 19:11
We have been experiencing a intermittent engine control problem. It first started as a sputtering of the engine with a loss of revs and then a stall. Thought it may have been a fuel problem but it is not. Now we are having a problem with the Volvo in cockpit engine control. At first the start button would not turn on the fan and engine control. I turned the battery off and then back on and I was able to get the engine started. Once running I could not turn off the engine from the cockpit. The controls did nothing and I had to use the fuel cut-off on the engine to shut it down.
Any ideas? We have a Volvo dealer about 10 miles away but I am hesitant to try and go there since the possibility of the engine cutting out again is still there and we need to go under a drawbridge to get to the dealer.
------------- Tom Catalano
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Replies:
Posted By: High Time
Date Posted: 16 July 2017 at 20:02
Hi Tom
When you are having problems (starting/stopping) from the engine control panel in the cockpit, is the rev counter still working correctly? If the rev counter is working it probably means the MDI (the black box on the port side of the engine) is OK. If the rev counter is not working I would suspect the MDI unit or, particularly the cable and connectors between the MDI and cockpit panel.
If you think the MDI may be OK (from the check above) I would carefully check all the connections to the MDI for an intermittent contact, both the black plug ins (3 of them) and the 3 bolted wires underneath. Also check the earth connection to the MDI which goes back to the negative connection (B-) on the alternator. If the problem is intermittent, as you describe, then I would carry out these checks with someone watching the control panel to see if anything changes as you 'disturb' the wiring.
If that all checks out OK then maybe we can look a little deeper into the inner workings of the MDI and control panel.
If you are OK with electrics, if you give me your email address I can send you a service booklet on the MDI which details it various functions and connections. Unfortunately, I don't have any info on the cockpit units.
------------- Roger
High Time (415 #038)
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Posted By: catarch
Date Posted: 16 July 2017 at 20:21
Roger,
Thanks for the information. I am heading to the boat to try and check the items you mentioned. When the engine starts sputtering the rev counter is still working as it shows the drop in revs. I checked that back of the control panel and there are no loose wires there so no I will check the engine area. My email is catarch11@gmail.com
Tom Catalano
------------- Tom Catalano
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Posted By: High Time
Date Posted: 16 July 2017 at 22:12
Hi Tom
I've sent a copy of the MDI Service Manual to your email address.
The fact that the rev counter appears to be working is encouraging. The most likely cause of the problem is an intermittent connection, I think. The Manual I've sent should help you understand the functions, connections and fault tracing for the MDI.
I'll check back in a couple of days to see if you've found the problem.
Good luck.
Roger
------------- Roger
High Time (415 #038)
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Posted By: catarch
Date Posted: 17 July 2017 at 21:58
Roger,
Thanks for the help. I have checked all the connections but nothing is loose. next I will try and start the diagnostic steps in the manual that you supplied.
Thanks,
Tom Catalano
------------- Tom Catalano
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Posted By: Mr Bluesky
Date Posted: 20 July 2017 at 21:50
Hi, it's the MDI. I had the same problem with my engine, it's caused by the MDI being mounted too close to the engine, the gel inside the unit expands and contracts as it heats and cools, then you suffer a broken circuit. As the engine stop solenoid is power to stop, it's receiving a signal causing the engine to splutter. It can be bypassed by diconecting solenoid, but not recommmended. You need to ask Volvo to take a look and supply a new unit. FYI you will loose all stores info such as engine hours so make a note first.
------------- Mr Blue Sky - 385 #359 - Sail safe sail Hanse.
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Posted By: Mr Bluesky
Date Posted: 20 July 2017 at 21:59
Where are you based? Darthaven Marina (Volvo agent) diagnosed and fixed ours last October, so you could call and speak with them. Best to get Volvo to visit rather than risk going to them, as the fault does develop and will get worse, not worth the risk if it's a tricky Harbour.
------------- Mr Blue Sky - 385 #359 - Sail safe sail Hanse.
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Posted By: catarch
Date Posted: 21 July 2017 at 10:30
Thank you for the information. I had a local Volvo rep on the boat yesterday but no report from them yet. IF it is the MDI how does a replacement not have the same problem eventually?
------------- Tom Catalano
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Posted By: Mr Bluesky
Date Posted: 21 July 2017 at 11:04
There is no guarantee a new unit won't have the same fault in a few hundred hours, but I was told the cereal number had been updated 6 times since my original was fitted, so the dealer thinks it's a known fault and the MDI supplier has probably rectified it. Our boat is a 2016 model, there may have been a faulty batch, who knows?! But if it does fail again I now know I can disable the stop solenoid to keep the motor running, and if it won't crank on the button, it can be jumped across the starter between the battery live and ignition live. Fingers crossed, my engine has recorded 100hrs since the replacement, the original clocked up 120hrs, so not long now I feel it's going to fail again.
------------- Mr Blue Sky - 385 #359 - Sail safe sail Hanse.
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Posted By: Mr Bluesky
Date Posted: 21 July 2017 at 11:06
* if it's going to fail again. Not I feel it will. Predicted text sorry.
------------- Mr Blue Sky - 385 #359 - Sail safe sail Hanse.
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Posted By: catarch
Date Posted: 21 July 2017 at 13:59
Thanks. Dealer has concurred that it is an MDI problem. I am going to disconnect the stop solenoid and bring the boat to them for a MDI replacement. I"ll let you know what they say. I have asked them to try and get the part for free from Volvo given the known defect.
------------- Tom Catalano
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Posted By: Mr Bluesky
Date Posted: 21 July 2017 at 15:32
One thing to be aware of, when I ran the engine with the stop solenoid disconnected, after about 5 minutes an alarm sounded on the dash, it didn't do any harm and as the MDI is being replaced anyway, but just thought you might like the heads up. Hope you get it sorted under warranty, as it clearly is a recognised fault.
------------- Mr Blue Sky - 385 #359 - Sail safe sail Hanse.
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Posted By: Bob53
Date Posted: 25 July 2017 at 17:05
We crossed the ocean last december with our 2016 Hanse 415 and had the same problem. In the middle of the ocean the revs did fall down and i could not shut the engine off. Afther a first inspection by the Volvo dealer in Grenada they could not find the problem. After that the problem occured again. The Volvo dealer in Santa Lucia found the problem, the MDI box. He had to replace the box on 6 Volvo engines who had the same problem. We know a couple of a Dutch 2016 Catamaran who had the same problem. In the middle of the ocean both MDI-boxes of the engines broke down. Volvo knows this problem, but reacts very difficult as if they do not know !
------------- Bob,
Hanse 415 Sea for Miles To be build sept/dec 2015
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Posted By: Mr Bluesky
Date Posted: 26 July 2017 at 20:14
😳 really, Volvo had not seen it before 🤔
------------- Mr Blue Sky - 385 #359 - Sail safe sail Hanse.
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Posted By: catarch
Date Posted: 26 July 2017 at 20:24
In the US the Volvo D2-40 has been recalled due to an emissions problem. The local dealer was going to replace the MDI but then he found out about the recall and he is installing the new engine Friday of this week. I hope that Volvo has taken steps to fix the MDI problem along with the emissions fix. I am heading to the yard tomorrow and I will have the fuel cut-off solenoid disconnected so that I do not run the risk of the engine cutting out in a busy and tight harbor.
The new engine will come with a new 2 year warranty.
------------- Tom Catalano
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Posted By: Mr Bluesky
Date Posted: 26 July 2017 at 21:03
That's interesting, I know the US are ahead of EU with emissions, but that is a serious recall, can't see that spreading to the EU. Good luck with the new motor, and remember there maybe an alarm with fuel solenoid disconnected, but it's ok the engine won't cut out.
------------- Mr Blue Sky - 385 #359 - Sail safe sail Hanse.
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Posted By: Mr Bluesky
Date Posted: 05 August 2017 at 22:30
Just had a second MDI unit fail, just as we were motoring down the River Dart approaching a ferry crossing, which was a little embarrassing as we stopped against tide right in its path. Pulled the Job out to get us clear and managed to restart to get into berth. Volvo. Agent said it's been quite common and they think they have a reason. The stop solenoid is drawing too many amps and causing an overload, so they are going to replace the MDI and the stop solenoid this time. Volvo are however still not recognising it as a common fault, I guess they are just in denial. Hope you're new motor does not inherit the problem.
------------- Mr Blue Sky - 385 #359 - Sail safe sail Hanse.
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Posted By: 415 Singapore
Date Posted: 06 August 2017 at 11:39
Hi, if the MDI unit fails does that mean you get no power to the engine at all? I have just got back from Night Train, 10 days ago no problem engine worked fine, now when you press ON on the starter panel there is no power to the panel or the engine room fan. I have checked all the fuses, including the one in the MDI, engine battery voltage etc, all ok Any thoughts would as always be much appreciated All the best Paul
------------- Paul - Night Train - 415 #136
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Posted By: High Time
Date Posted: 06 August 2017 at 15:04
Paul
If you have a multimeter it is quick and easy to check if you have power to the MDI. Test for 12V between the red (positive) wire feeding the MDI (the middle of the 3 wired connections under the MDI) and the MDI earth which is the negative terminal on the alternator. If this reads battery voltage (12.8V or thereabouts) then there is power to the MDI.
If you have power to the MDI then, as mentioned earlier in this thread, check all the connections between the MDI and the cockpit panel, including the extension connectors in the lazarette (behind the panel in the starboard berth (or 'workshop' if you have the 2 cabin layout), up high.
If the connections are all OK then it probably is a failed MDI.
I am still slightly skeptical about multiple MDI failures, though. I have seen no mention of the problem on the PBO forum which has a large and very active community in the UK. I also was pretty convinced my MDI had failed on High Time some months ago until I started the replacement process and found a hidden loose connection that had escaped my attention earlier! I now have my old, fully functioning MDI as a spare!
------------- Roger
High Time (415 #038)
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Posted By: Ilkhanse
Date Posted: 07 August 2017 at 02:45
My boat is an early 2013 model year boat located on the US East Coast. Do you have any more information you can share on this? Thank you!
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Posted By: catarch
Date Posted: 07 August 2017 at 14:10
I am not sure that I can be of much help. The yard was the party that found out about the recall. I think that any Volvo dealer should be able to help.
------------- Tom Catalano
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Posted By: Mr Bluesky
Date Posted: 07 August 2017 at 15:47
I have good connections throughout, continuity tested with multi meter. The problem is the MDI sending a signal to power the stop solenoid to cut the fuel, as the system is power shutdown not power open like most fuel solenoid. A loose connection would only cause a fault if it were power open. This time our MDI fault has caused a complete loos of power to the engine control panel, the only way I could start the engine was to cross the live on the starter to the solenoid, then it cranked and ran fine so I could get safely back into berth. If you want more info from a Volvo dealer try Rob at Darthaven Marina, Kingswear, Devon.
------------- Mr Blue Sky - 385 #359 - Sail safe sail Hanse.
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Posted By: 415 Singapore
Date Posted: 08 August 2017 at 10:27
I just got back from the boat, tested everything with a multi meter and it was the MDI unit that had failed. I replaced it and everything is fine again. However this is the third unit to fail, the first lasted from new (Jan 2014) to when we got struck by lightning in September 2016, as part of the repairs the MDI unit was replaced (No.2) and at the same time I ordered a spare (No.3). Unit number 2 lasted until March 2017 when it failed for no apparent reason, I replaced this with unit number 3 and at the same time sent the failed unit back to Volvo who replaced it under warranty. It is unit number 3 that failed this weekend. I am wondering if the fact that these two units were delivered at the same time means that there was a manufacturing problem at the time? Having a perfectly serviceable engine knocked out by lightning is worrying enough, but to have it knocked out for no apparent reason is perhaps worse. I am waiting to hear what Volvo say about it.
------------- Paul - Night Train - 415 #136
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Posted By: Mr Bluesky
Date Posted: 08 August 2017 at 11:43
I've had a new MDI fitted this morning by Volvo agent under warranty again (2nd) and they have also fitted a new fuel stop solenoid as Volvo think this is the root cause of the problem. I am also going to fit an emergency start button just in case, but fingers crossed they have it sorted. Darthaven Marine have said this fault will remain a warranty issue until it is sorted, even if it persists after the warranty period. I think you are wise to have a spare on board, I'm not confident the problem is fixed, and intend to do the same for peace of mind.
------------- Mr Blue Sky - 385 #359 - Sail safe sail Hanse.
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Posted By: High Time
Date Posted: 09 August 2017 at 17:57
Umm. Sounds like there really is a problem with MDI units failing. Maybe I've replaced my working 2012 original with a 2017 version that could fail shortly.
At least I have the original on board as a spare.
I'll raise this issue on the PBO forum and see what experiences that community can report.
------------- Roger
High Time (415 #038)
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Posted By: 415 Singapore
Date Posted: 10 August 2017 at 03:09
I have just checked both of the units I replaced and there is a little green sticker on the outside casing, both of which say 331, which I would guess is the batch number?
------------- Paul - Night Train - 415 #136
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Posted By: High Time
Date Posted: 10 August 2017 at 12:11
Apparently the problem is more widely known than just Hanse boats - see the response on the http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?484818-Volvo-MDI-unit-failures-on-D-quot-series-engines&p=6155920#post6155920" rel="nofollow - PBO Forum .
From comments in that thread and also above, I wonder if it is the stop solenoid that is the root of problem?
------------- Roger
High Time (415 #038)
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Posted By: 415 Singapore
Date Posted: 10 August 2017 at 12:19
Hi Roger, what is the PBO forum?
------------- Paul - Night Train - 415 #136
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Posted By: High Time
Date Posted: 10 August 2017 at 13:08
Hi Paul
It's the Practical Boat Owners on-line forum. If you click the words in my previous post it will take you there.
If you haven't looked at it before you will find it full of useful info (and also a lot of suspect suggestions, like all DIY forums!).
------------- Roger
High Time (415 #038)
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Posted By: 415 Singapore
Date Posted: 22 September 2017 at 10:48
Further to my earlier posts, I am still waiting for Volvo Singapore to let me know whether Volvo HQ has said they can replace the failed MDI unit under warranty. However we went to the boat today and again the engine wouldn't start, I went through the same testing procedure all fuses ok and there is power to the MDI and the engine starts on the emergency start button ok. This is the third MDI to fail since March of this year. I am beginning to wonder if the lightning strike could have damaged something else in the engine electronics to make the MDI fail so frequently, but as they only fail when the engine is off this seems to make this unlikely. As always any thoughts would be much appreciated as this is getting seriously annoying :( All the best Paul
------------- Paul - Night Train - 415 #136
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Posted By: Mr Bluesky
Date Posted: 25 September 2017 at 07:02
You are not alone with multiple failed MDI units, the record on a Hanse in the UK is 4 (so far). I had a second a month or so back, and was told it was the fuel cut off solenoid drawing too many amps that was the cause. I personally have my doubts but time will tell, I intend to get a spare unit to keep on board as if there is a next time I may not be near to a Volvo dealer that is quite so helpful as Darthaven Marine. Fingers crossed!
------------- Mr Blue Sky - 385 #359 - Sail safe sail Hanse.
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Posted By: 415 Singapore
Date Posted: 26 September 2017 at 09:49
I went to see the Volvo dealer in Phuket, as we are still waiting to hear from Volvo Singapore on our warranty claim. The Phuket dealer had a box of three failed MDI's that he was sending back to Volvo and said that some of these were failing in a matter of hours, he also said that Volvo were very aware of the problem but apart from replacing the faulty units they were ignoring the underlying problem. I discussed the fuel cut off solenoid with him and he did say that the new engines have a different solenoid arrangement but wasn't sure why they had introduced this. I have checked the main Volvo website but there seems no way of asking them directly, they just seem to push you in the direction of the local dealers.
------------- Paul - Night Train - 415 #136
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Posted By: 415 Singapore
Date Posted: 09 October 2017 at 02:30
Hi does anyone know if the engine management unit controls the battery charging? We are still waiting for a replacement unit, so along with installing an alternative starter button we have put in another switched positive wire into the engine room fan, all seemed to work well last weekend, but none of the batteries were charging off the engine, but I am not sure if this is another problem or just part of the original one. As ever any advice would be much welcomed All the best Paul
------------- Paul - Night Train - 415 #136
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Posted By: High Time
Date Posted: 09 October 2017 at 11:03
Hi Paul
I can confirm that the MDI unit does not control charging. Charging is controlled by the alternator regulator which is an integral part of the alternator.
If you have a multimeter it would be worth checking to see what voltage is being produced by the alternator. Your problem could be a poor connection but is most probably a failure of the electronics inside the alternator - either the regulator or diodes . A few checks with a meter (voltage at the alternator output, battery quiescent voltage and then with engine running etc) should quickly isolate the problem.
It's also worth noting that the MDI is not really an engine management system like you find on a modern car. It plays no part in controlling the combustion process of the engine - that is purely mechanical. The MDI only relays start and stop commands from the cockpit panel to the relevant solenoids on the engine and collects/transmits engine sensor data (revs, temp, oil pressure, voltage) to the cockpit display (and also to the Simnet bus if the optional (expensive) cables are fitted).
------------- Roger
High Time (415 #038)
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Posted By: 415 Singapore
Date Posted: 16 October 2017 at 06:25
Hi, latest update on our broken MDI units, I asked the local B&G agent if he had heard of these issues and his response was un-printable, but the long and short of his explanation is that the fuel solenoid causes a Back - EMF current that blows the MDI unit, which seems to tally with what has been suggested in this thread. He suggested a ferrite core such as those you see on laptop power leads http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/ferrite-core Might be worth a try, but we are still waiting for our two replacements from Volvo.
------------- Paul - Night Train - 415 #136
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Posted By: Mr Bluesky
Date Posted: 16 October 2017 at 10:04
Although we have had the fuel cut-off solenoid replaced at the time of the last MDI change, I'll take any good advice, so have ordered a ferrite core from eBay link. Is the suggestion to clamp over the wire coming from the fuel solenoid?
------------- Mr Blue Sky - 385 #359 - Sail safe sail Hanse.
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Posted By: 415 Singapore
Date Posted: 16 October 2017 at 12:44
Hi, yes that was the suggestion, although I am not sure what size ferrite core to buy, but having looked at few leads at home they seem to clamp the cable quite tightly. I have also chased Volvo for my replacement MDI units and the technician who originally repaired the boat after our lightning strike actually asked me if I used the stop button on the control panel!! When I said that obviously I did use the button clearly marked STOP, he suggested that it would be better to turn off the engine using the stop lever on the engine itself. Clearly Volvo know full well about this but for whatever reason are reluctant to admit it.
------------- Paul - Night Train - 415 #136
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Posted By: Forth2
Date Posted: 17 October 2017 at 19:03
As an electronics engineer I would connect a 16Volt 5Watts zenerdiode accross the leads to the solenoid. That should protect MDI from back emf from the solenoid. BR
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Posted By: Rod
Date Posted: 07 November 2017 at 11:14
Paul, I see you have added an alternative starter button - was this done by Volvo tech or local mechanic ? Do you have a wiring diagram or photos ? Reading all these posts makjes me think I need an option - but touch wood. Tks Rod
------------- Hanse 415 - "Ti" Gocek, Turkey.
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Posted By: High Time
Date Posted: 07 November 2017 at 21:19
Hi Rod
There is a short description and a couple of photos of the 'starter button' I fitted on High Time in http://www.myhanse.com/im-an-unlucky-captain_topic9851.html" rel="nofollow - this thread . It's halfway down the first page.
------------- Roger
High Time (415 #038)
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Posted By: Rod
Date Posted: 08 November 2017 at 04:07
Many Thanks Roger - Job for the weekend.
------------- Hanse 415 - "Ti" Gocek, Turkey.
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Posted By: kipwrite
Date Posted: 08 November 2017 at 14:51
My 2016 505 #123 experienced an MDI failure offshore last week. Engine shutting down intermittently. Hour meter stopped working. We eventually disconnected the shut off solenoid, and aside from the alarm which went off every time the MDI tried to shut down the engine, it was an effective work around. 550 hours on the engine. Will install an emergency start button. I don’t trust these MDIs.
------------- Kipwrite
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Posted By: 415 Singapore
Date Posted: 10 November 2017 at 03:06
Hi Rod I have only just seen your message, we installed he emergency start button ourselves as per Roger's suggestion, the only tweak being that I installed it low down in the second cabin so that the engine can be started without taking off the side panel to the engine 'room'. The other thing to remember is that the MDI controls the engine room fan, so we have installed a second switched power supply directly to the fan.
------------- Paul - Night Train - 415 #136
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Posted By: High Time
Date Posted: 10 November 2017 at 12:41
Hi Paul
Can I ask the purpose of the extra switch for the engine room fan? Is it so that the fan can still be switched on even if the MDI fails? If so, I think that is a 'nice to have' rather than an essential safety feature (which I consider the start button to be). I ran High Time for 4 years without the engine room fan working. The fuse for it (the 10A one on the top right hand side of the main distribution/fuse panel) was missing from first commissioning and I didn't realise until I started investigating my MDI problem 18 months ago. My previous boat, with a 50hp engine never had an engine room fan and operated for 15 years without problem. I think it is a recent Recreational Craft Directive requirement but I'm not really sure what function it is suppose to provide.
------------- Roger
High Time (415 #038)
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Posted By: 415 Singapore
Date Posted: 11 November 2017 at 02:00
Hi Roger, we currently have two broken MDI units both of which are less than a year old and being stubborn I refuse to pay for another one, so until Volvo replace these under warranty we are using the 'emergency' start button in normal use and felt it better to be able to switch on the fan as well, especially as we are in the tropics.
------------- Paul - Night Train - 415 #136
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Posted By: High Time
Date Posted: 11 November 2017 at 11:54
Hi Paul
Understood, thanks. I guess the blower makes sense in the tropics and similarly the separate switch if you are permanently without the MDI.
------------- Roger
High Time (415 #038)
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Posted By: Mr Bluesky
Date Posted: 08 April 2018 at 16:48
Just had another MDI unit fail, that’s 3 in 2 years! Has anyone got upto date info on what Volvo are doing about this. Thanks
------------- Mr Blue Sky - 385 #359 - Sail safe sail Hanse.
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Posted By: kipwrite
Date Posted: 08 April 2018 at 17:31
My understanding was that replacement MDI’s with a “P” in the serial number have been engineered to address this issue. This per Superior Deisel in Charleston SC.
Anyone have an MDI failure with one of these “P” identified units?
------------- Kipwrite
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Posted By: Mr Bluesky
Date Posted: 08 April 2018 at 18:52
Thanks for the info Kipwrite. I am going to call the Volvo centre tomorrow so I will ask if they are aware of that. I’ll let you all know.
------------- Mr Blue Sky - 385 #359 - Sail safe sail Hanse.
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Posted By: kipwrite
Date Posted: 08 April 2018 at 20:21
Here’s my replacement MDI with the “P” designation. So far so good.
------------- Kipwrite
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Posted By: ariette
Date Posted: 12 April 2018 at 12:23
I understand from Volvo that the P designation is a patch on the previous design and whilst it will work fine (I think) the new super-improved (irony intended here!) ones have an entirely different serial number. Mine is due to arrive tomorrow so I will post the details when it arrives.
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Posted By: Mr Bluesky
Date Posted: 12 April 2018 at 19:39
Dear Ariette, i checked and the one that has failed has P in s/n, so that’s not the answer. Volvo are coming out to it next week with talk of a new button panel as well as MDI. Although the guy I spoke with from VP didn’t sound that convinced. Watch this space!
------------- Mr Blue Sky - 385 #359 - Sail safe sail Hanse.
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Posted By: ariette
Date Posted: 16 April 2018 at 10:06
The new MDI unit just received has the code 23195776 I am in correspondence with Volvo about them fitting the bill for the replacement of a known fault. I will report back. On the Cruising Association website where there is also a thread on this issue one contributor has said Volvo will be doing a general recall and replacement on the part.Don't hold your breath.
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Posted By: Mr Bluesky
Date Posted: 16 April 2018 at 14:30
The unit that has just failed is 22458451-P W1722, I'll be interested to see what is fitted next. My local dealer has promised it will be done this week, I'll let you know.
------------- Mr Blue Sky - 385 #359 - Sail safe sail Hanse.
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Posted By: ariette
Date Posted: 25 April 2018 at 09:38
Apparently the code of the new unit I have received (see my post 2 above) is the 'permanent fix' model and the one needed. More importantly some seemingly informed comment on the Cruising Association forum suggests that Volvo are finally going to replace all MDI's FOC through their dealer network. I am at the moment in negotiation with Volvo to reimburse me for my purchase.
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Posted By: Mr Bluesky
Date Posted: 25 April 2018 at 11:00
Our local VP dealer fitted a new MDI and engine button panel last week as they now think it could be the panel causing the problems.
------------- Mr Blue Sky - 385 #359 - Sail safe sail Hanse.
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Posted By: 415 Singapore
Date Posted: 25 April 2018 at 11:40
Hi, got to the boat today and found that our "P'' series MDI which we got in early January has failed.I will fit the spare one we also received under warranty, but am not exactly hopeful this will solve the problem. As the latest (6th) unit was only installed in January I am hopeful we can get another under warranty as a spare. As an ardent follower of the Volvo Ocean race I know they have D2-75 engines, I wonder how many spare MDI units they take with them?
------------- Paul - Night Train - 415 #136
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Posted By: S&J
Date Posted: 25 April 2018 at 13:47
I am following this saga with some fear and trepidation. There are similar posts on YBW so it seems this is a widespread issue. It reminds me of the B&G wind transducer isse a couple of years where several boats went through many replacements (I had three) before the issue was resolved, however I would rather lose my wind instruments than my engine! Does this only affect engines from 2016 onwards? Is the D1 range affected? My own D1-30F engine was fitted in late 2014.
------------- H458 #159 Primal Mediterranean cruising
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Posted By: Mr Bluesky
Date Posted: 25 April 2018 at 14:03
Hi, we had 3 B&G transducers also, the boat was fitted with a faulty one from day one, then two more in quick succession until an upgrade was fitted. I’m not sure what build years the faulty MDI affects, but ours is 2016. If yours is 2014 and you’ve not had a problem so far I doubt you will. The faulty ones seem to fail pretty regularly, I’ve had 3 in 2 years, others have similar stories.
------------- Mr Blue Sky - 385 #359 - Sail safe sail Hanse.
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Posted By: Mr Bluesky
Date Posted: 25 April 2018 at 14:05
Sorry forgot to comment on D1-30, yes it’s the same problem.
------------- Mr Blue Sky - 385 #359 - Sail safe sail Hanse.
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Posted By: 415 Singapore
Date Posted: 26 April 2018 at 10:44
Hi Night Train was launched in February 2014, so built late 2013. The first MDI worked fine until we had a bad lightning strike in September 2016, which I won't hold against Volvo as it fried almost everything electrical. However since then we have gone through five more units the last one being a "P"series one. My spare has a serial No. 23195776 W1745, which seems to be the same number as Ariette (Mark) got so hopefully this one will last longer than single digit engine hours! I will also take the "P"series one back to Volvo and see if they will give me another under warranty. We also did the 3 No. B&G wind transducers, but touch wood they seem to have fixed the sensitivity of those, if only Volvo were as helpful as B&G.
------------- Paul - Night Train - 415 #136
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Posted By: Bob53
Date Posted: 20 July 2018 at 20:20
5 months later the MDI box broke again while we were in Nova Scotia. Again replaced by Volvo. Until now no problems
------------- Bob,
Hanse 415 Sea for Miles To be build sept/dec 2015
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Posted By: NeverForever
Date Posted: 12 April 2020 at 14:52
This forum has been such a help to me. So first, thank you! In January, our 3rd faulty MDI box was replaced under the Volvo recall (see attached). After 50 hours, it has failed again. I just noticed that the recall specified part #23231607, but the actual replacement part was #23195776. That said, several others have noted the same discrepancy in their recall implementation. Has anyone else had either of these part numbers fail, after being replaced under the recall?
Yes, I plan to install the emergency starter switch!
But I wondered if others were also finding that the "official replacement" MDI was continuing to fail?
uploads/6083/Volvo_MDI_Box_Recall.pdf" rel="nofollow - uploads/6083/Volvo_MDI_Box_Recall.pdf
------------- NeverForever
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Posted By: Persephone
Date Posted: 12 April 2020 at 17:08
As you discovered, Volvo Penta in the US is using part number 23195776 for the recall, though shipping them in a box marked with the correct part number, i.e. 23231607.
I've had two 23195776 parts fail partially, both in the sense of the remote stop not working. The box seems to continue to work otherwise, unlike some earlier parts where the failure seemed progressive. So 23195776 seems to be an improvement but not there yet.
By the way, I suspected the stop solenoid might be faulty as that would explain this, but it still works if I apply 12v across its terminals.
For now, I simply jump down below to stop the engine manually.
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Posted By: NeverForever
Date Posted: 12 April 2020 at 17:29
Thank you Persephone! So 23195776 has not proven to be a reliable fix....Siiiigh.
In my case, the engine doesn't start. So I'll install a bypass switch on Tuesday, once curfew is lifted here in Dominica. But I'm still interested in hearing from others for whom the Volvo recall & replacement didn't work out.
I'm also contacting Volvo and will let y'all know their response.
------------- NeverForever
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