Can anyone help with this showstopper?

[mriley]

One of my engines failed last week (at sea, it just died). I have finally pinned it down to a faulty ECU (coil is OK). The engines are Volvo Penta AQ171C. This is where the problems start. The ECU is no longer made, nor available it seems. I phoned a couple of business that advertise as repairing ECUs, but they say they won't touch marine ECUs. Part number is 855612, made by Bendix. I have searched the internet for hours with no joy. This is a complete showstopper unless I can find some way round it. Can anyone help?

 

[Spi D]

One for sale in Gothenburg, Sweden. Used, checked & tested.

Not cheap, though

http://www.blocket.se/goteborg/Tandspole_styrdon_AQ_171__251_47747109.htm

 

[mriley]

Thanks, I would not have found that. Is it an auction site do you know, or is that the selling price? (5100 krone, which seems to equal about £500). Could be a lot (more) money down the pan if it only lasts a week, but I guess options are really limited.

 

[Spi D]

£478 at todays rate.

Not an auction, private seller.

I'm a 3½ hours drive + ferry away from him but could call him for you (some swedish forumite might be closer?) Swede's normally will ship it once money has cleared... cost might be a bit steep compared to UK level.

 

[Erik C]

Look under the right side of the bar code, there seems to be a fair sized crack in the bottom piece.

 

[Spi D]

Probably just a lid not completely seated.

In general I'd do some thorough thinking before throwing £500 after a +20 yr old lump if not mint apart from this box.

Make a budget for a repower, keeping the drive.

 

[PCUK]

Can you use the vehicle equivalent? May not be ideal but could keep you running.

 

[Spi D]

No obvious equivalent in car.

This 4-cyl 2.5 litre may have been differently set up in automotive world (environment etc.)

 

[rafiki_]

One of my engines failed last week (at sea, it just died). I have finally pinned it down to a faulty ECU (coil is OK). The engines are Volvo Penta AQ171C. This is where the problems start. The ECU is no longer made, nor available it seems. I phoned a couple of business that advertise as repairing ECUs, but they say they won't touch marine ECUs. Part number is 855612, made by Bendix. I have searched the internet for hours with no joy. This is a complete showstopper unless I can find some way round it. Can anyone help?

You might try VolvoPaul. He is pretty useful with this type of thing.

 

[Spi D]

While diggin around I found that one equivalent car is the 740 from 1990 +/- some. Part is close - not identical!

Found used from £10 in Sweden
Google for Volvo part no 1367438, should find some...(many!)

 

[Spi D]

-and to confuse things the OEM marine part comes in more flavours under the same part number. At least this gives hope regarding a car part..

Edit: Workshops building/customizing ignition systems for car tuners may have ideas as well.

 

[mriley]

While diggin around I found that one equivalent car is the 740 from 1990 +/- some. Part is close - not identical!

Found used from £10 in Sweden
Google for Volvo part no 1367438, should find some...(many!)

Spi D, whoever you are, you're a hero, I found a new one in the States for less than £100! It looks identical to the penta marine coil - I hope it works. Has anyone had experience of putting auto coils in boats?

 

[Spi D]

When importing from the US I use shopusa.com for shipping and customs handling. Easy, legal and less expensive than Royal Mail.