Intermittent Volvo 2030 electrical fault ?????

[slipknot]

Can anyone offer any suggestions on where to start to look for a fix for my problem. I have had 2 occasions where I have pressed the power on button to power up the engine panel and seperate fuel gauge, and the fuel gauge only half reads and the panel does not power up (no inition lights, no hours reading, no starter when you press the start button) Had seastart look at it maybe 6 weeks ago, and whilst they saw the fault, tried a new module (ignition lights) it made no difference. After more tests it miraculously started working again and has done since, until today. Same fault.
I’ve removed the panel and get 12v to the power on off switch. When you turn on the power switch, in and out drops to 3v and nothing works of course. To make it even worse, I’ve just gone back to look at the panel to see that everything is now working exactly as it should. So clearly it works ok now, but it’s going to do it again, no doubt at the most inappropriate moment. Any suggestions what to look for. Is there an expert in Southampton I could call to come and take a look. Any advice appreciated?

 

[<152587>]

Corroded wire, /connection on the feed? First place to go is the interface plug between engine and panel.

 

[superheat6k]

Happy to have a look at it for you. If I find the issue it will cost you some beer or cider. PM me if interested, but would likely have to be the weekend after next now.

 

[mjcoon]

Corroded wire, /connection on the feed? First place to go is the interface plug between engine and panel.

Perhaps connect a bell or buzzer that needs the full 12V to sound properly. Then when you go round poking all the places where the bad connection might be you will instantly know when you hit the sensitive spot...

Mike.

 

[XDC]

I had the same symptoms. Asked a Volvo engineer about it. He advised pinching up the spade connector on the port rear side of the engine. Instant fix.

 

[Martin_J]

Can't quite make out the photo above but do you have a small black box in that area of the engine that contains the relays and on the side of that box is a fuse unit containing four fuses, only one of which is in use. The connections are spade connectors that just push on.

In fact, a closer look at XDC's photo above does show the arrow pointing to this Fuse block.

I have known the spade connectors to make a less than perfect contact, giving similar symptoms.

 

[XDC]

Exactly that Martin.

On two previous occasions I had tried to start the engine, had a dead(ish) control panel that eventually burst into life and the engine started.

On the occasion I mentioned the panel powered up but died the moment I hit the starter.

I was approaching a port where I knew there was a Volvo agent and planned to get him to look at it but the panel just continually died.

As I didn’t want to be towed in and couldn’t sail I phoned him and while my wife watched the panel I went and did exactly what he told me to do, wiggle the wire by that control box. Every time I did that the panel powered up.

A couple of minutes after crimping it tighter with pliers the engine fired immediately and I have since put on a new spade connector.

The agent got a bottle of wine :encouragement:

 

[slipknot]

Thank you all for your replies. The fuse box connection fault mentioned sounds similar. Ive already looked in this area and moved the cable connector to a different terminal (one of the spare 3) What it sounds like I could try is improving the connection of that terminal somehow.
I did separate, inspect and reconnect the main loom connection. I may do that again but spray in some contact cleaner before re assembling.
Superheat6k. Thank you for your very generous offer to take a look for me. So that I don’t waste your time, I will do the above first and will PM you if the fault persists.

 

[superheat6k]

Thank you all for your replies. The fuse box connection fault mentioned sounds similar. Ive already looked in this area and moved the cable connector to a different terminal (one of the spare 3) What it sounds like I could try is improving the connection of that terminal somehow.
I did separate, inspect and reconnect the main loom connection. I may do that again but spray in some contact cleaner before re assembling.
Superheat6k. Thank you for your very generous offer to take a look for me. So that I don’t waste your time, I will do the above first and will PM you if the fault persists.

Not a problem. The four fuse block is provided to protect the alternator if the battery isolator gets turned off with the engine running, so you have three spares available. Does sound like a dirty connection somewhere. I would consider lopping the spade off and fixing a new one on. Spades aren't too good with vibration from the engine, so possibly a work hardened cable where it enters the spade.

 

[xyachtdave]

I had the same symptoms. Asked a Volvo engineer about it. He advised pinching up the spade connector on the port rear side of the engine. Instant fix.

Yes me too. Mine looked good and the fuse didn't look blown but when I put a multi meter on it it showed open circuit. Same issues as op solved with new fuse, a 4 into 1 arrangement to make changing easy at sea I presume.

 

[slipknot]

I have finally got to the bottom of my very intermittent electrical fault. Today I found that the earthing strap from the back of the alternator to the earthing point on the engine had broken. This was the engine end connection and the heavy duty cable was still firmly crimped in place and the broken cable held in place in the heat shrink. This would hold it in place sufficiently to make contact most of the time. Thanks for all the advice and thanks in particular to superheat6k for your generous offer to come and take a look.