Volvo D6 Gremlins. I'm stumped – HELP PLS!!

T

TommieDee

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 Feb 2007
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73
Location
IOM/ River Shannon
www.dq.im
I have a Broom 39 with 2 x Volvo D6 310s – year 2006 with electronic throttles and today developed a peculiar problem out of the blue. In short, both engines started fine, then as I pulled away from the berth, the port engine (which was running fine) wouldn’t engage gear – forward or reverse. Made it back to the berth, tied up and investigated. Tried to turn the port engine off, it wouldn’t turn off!

So after investigation, I am stumped. This is the summary and I hope someone on the forum will say “ah yes, this is a common VP error, just tap the port alternator with a yellow flat head screwdriver, the starboard heat exchange with a pencil, and it will work fine”. Volvopaul, is it this easy???

1. all batteries fully charged
2. all relevant fuses switched on
3. engine battery isolators switched on, working fine
4. started Port engine, no problems. Started stbd engine no problems
5. moved away from berth on stbd engine and a little bowthruster. No problems
6. engaged both engines forward, port engine not engaging fwd gear or reverse gear. Startboard engine works fine.
7. back at berth, port engine wouldn’t turn off by the key.
8. had to lift floor boards, access auxiliary stop button on side of engine. Only then did the engine stop.
9. tried to restart engine, it wouldn’t start (it was clearly in neutral).
10. checked battery terminal, all connected fine.
11. Turned off and on all fuse switches relevant to engines and instruments, still wouldn’t start
12. turned off and on battery isolator for both engines and domestic system, still wouldn’t start
13. the EVC controller (mine is the basic one that only flashes a light or sequence of lights to tell you there is a problem) indicated that there were no engine faults. yeah right!
14. I dont understand how on these D6s the engine management system or other electronics work.

This was my first trip out in many months, but I run the engines for 5-10 minutes (including in gear, fwd and reverse) and check bowthruster every 3 weeks throughout the year when not getting out to sea.

hope that is enough info for some of you highly experienced VP powered forumites to HELP PLEASE!

Give me an old Perkins with Morse cable controls any day!

Tks
Tommiedee
 
Haven't come across the 'cannot turn off with key' problem - but I've had control levers 'forget' their positions before, which would explain both the inability to select gear, and also the reluctance to restart (because it doesn't think it's in neutral). First thing I'd try is a recalibration - there's a procedure in the installation manual.
 
jimmy_the_builder said:
Haven't come across the 'cannot turn off with key' problem - but I've had control levers 'forget' their positions before, which would explain both the inability to select gear, and also the reluctance to restart (because it doesn't think it's in neutral). First thing I'd try is a recalibration - there's a procedure in the installation manual.
Click to expand...

thanks Jimmy will try that tomorrow when back down
 
VP guys will be along soon, however I would trust what the engine is actually telling you.

'13. the EVC controller (mine is the basic one that only flashes a light or sequence of lights to tell you there is a problem) indicated that there were no engine faults. yeah right!'

I am no VP person, but if any electronic engine tells you there are no faults believe it and use this as a guide in trouble shooting process.
 
Only time engine wouldn't stop there was a reset fuse had popped out on top of engine but this was KAD32's and I don't know if yours have similar set up?
 
bush boat said:
Only time engine wouldn't stop there was a reset fuse had popped out on top of engine but this was KAD32's and I don't know if yours have similar set up?[/


Thanks guys. It's odd.
EVC says no problems - but would it not spot a dodgy fuse or dodgy connection?

VolvoPaul - not sure if you're around - but does a modern D6 have such a Reset fuse?
Click to expand...
 
No there is no reset fuse, the fuse on the red circuit breaker on the engine is for the power trim pump, your fault is a weird one that I've never come across.
First thing I'd do is a 'autoconfiguration' to establish communication with all the components, followed by a throttle/gear calibration, its could be that simple.
If its still playing up I would get hold of an engineer who really understands EVC to connect a Vodia and read the live data on the engine, helm, and controls to see what's happening, I'd be looking at the potentiometer in the throttle quadrant and the gearshift actuator, as if either of these plays up it won't let you select a gear safety reasons.
The last thing you want is an 'engineer' who's just going to swap bits until he gets lucky, unfortunately the dealers are full of them.
 
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DavidJ said:
Using logic and not any knowledge of your EVC. Can you swop the throttle connecters around and see if the problem swops?
Click to expand...

You can try that but I think you will find that the gear functions will be reversed as the throttle potentiometers are mounted opposite ways, so just be aware.
 
Sounds like the gear actuator. They are electrically controlled. Have had same issue on a ABS 45. seems common on D6's of that era if left for long periods, gets sticky and then EVC senses a problem and everything goes pear shaped.
 
I can't see a gear actuator or throttle pot fault causing the fault where you can't stop the engine.

If you locate the PCU boxes mounted in the engine bay and swap the 6 pin datalink cables from port to starboard you can instantly see if the fault is at the engine end or the helm end. When powering up the system again you need to perform auto configuration and lever calibration. You will get the a warning message saying chassis number conflict but it should all work with the port instruments and controls connected to the starboard engine and starboard to port.

This should narrow down where you are looking.

Remember to auto config and recalibrate when it is all connected back to original again.
 
Nautical said:
Sounds like the gear actuator. They are electrically controlled. Have had same issue on a ABS 45. seems common on D6's of that era if left for long periods, gets sticky and then EVC senses a problem and everything goes pear shaped.
Click to expand...

If it was the actuator you'd get an EVC fault as soon as you turn the ignitions on (they self-test at startup). The OP said that no faults were reported.
 
I would have said same, but on my 45 it didn't show any faults either, just wouldn't go in and out of gear, best way to check is to see if you can put in neutral mode and if it will rev, if it won't rev then there is something wrong with the actuator. Same thing also happened on customers ABS 39 with D6's . Both around 2006 era. VP changed out both under warranty. Not sure about the engine not stopping but could be the puter bits think it is in gear and therefore won't allow you switch off.
 
spannerman said:
your fault is a weird one that I've never come across.
First thing I'd do is a 'autoconfiguration' to establish communication with all the components, followed by a throttle/gear calibration, its could be that simple.
.
Click to expand...

Spannerman thanks for this. I am clueless with electronics and can't figure out how to auto configure or calibrate throttles as I have a very basic single EVC control panel. I found the instructions for auto configuration and throttle calibration but it all relates to an EVC panel which is completely different to mine. Even manual onboard has a different newer EVC panel in the calibration settings page! I can't post photos, but mine is the basic EVC with 5 buttons, no wheel. 2 x D buttons, 1 x N button, 1 x key button and 1 x circle (like a sun or headlight) symbol button.

Do you know how to perform auto config and throttle calib on that EVC set? I have no other displays (save for analogue dials fuel volts temps etc - Broom keep things simple!)

Problem is on the Isle of Man we don't have expert Volvo penta guys who would readily and quickly understand a weird problem like this and as you rightly point out I dont want to pay someone to take my engine and electronics apart and put them back together again.

TREVOR (nautical) Thanks for your thoughts too. you didn't have anyone on the IOM sort these issues did you? I recall you getting VP guys over from factory on the Absolute. My problem is the port engine won't start at all (in fact the dials eg Rev counter are stuck in the last position they were in while the engine was running).
Were you able to start your engines when you had your problem?

Thanks to all for your help and advice.
Tommiedee
 
TommieDee said:
Spannerman thanks for this. I am clueless with electronics and can't figure out how to auto configure or calibrate throttles as I have a very basic single EVC control panel. I found the instructions for auto configuration and throttle calibration but it all relates to an EVC panel which is completely different to mine. Even manual onboard has a different newer EVC panel in the calibration settings page! I can't post photos, but mine is the basic EVC with 5 buttons, no wheel. 2 x D buttons, 1 x N button, 1 x key button and 1 x circle (like a sun or headlight) symbol button.

Do you know how to perform auto config and throttle calib on that EVC set? I have no other displays (save for analogue dials fuel volts temps etc - Broom keep things simple!)

Problem is on the Isle of Man we don't have expert Volvo penta guys who would readily and quickly understand a weird problem like this and as you rightly point out I dont want to pay someone to take my engine and electronics apart and put them back together again.

TREVOR (nautical) Thanks for your thoughts too. you didn't have anyone on the IOM sort these issues did you? I recall you getting VP guys over from factory on the Absolute. My problem is the port engine won't start at all (in fact the dials eg Rev counter are stuck in the last position they were in while the engine was running).
Were you able to start your engines when you had your problem?

Thanks to all for your help and advice.
Tommiedee
Click to expand...


Sounds like EVC-B2. Have a look at this document:

http://skeiron.pl/zawartosc2_do_podbrania/30_1.pdf

In particular look at section 12. Just follow the instructions, it's pretty straightforward (must be, I've done it). Good luck.
 
Yes that's the one Jimmy

You're a superstar thanks! I found that instruction sheet for the EVC C but couldn't find one with mine.

OK thanks for encouragement, Will have a go, keep my fingers and try not to sink the boat!

T
 
I know how you feel. My D4 EVC-C engined boat has been, still is a nightmare.

I changed this year from a petrol powered boat to a 2009 diesel for supposedly improved reliability ( but never had the previous petrol engined boats broken down on me)

Since launching in April, we've put on about an hour on the engine hours and most have been on the pontoon, trying to fine the reason for the "check EVC system" fault The engine now has about 8 hours on it, not 80, not 800 from new !

Absolute disappointment
 
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UPDATE - well I tried to auto configure today - thanks to JTB for the link - but no power at all going to EVC-B2 for the port engine. When i turn ignition for stbd engine, EVC lights up as normal. Stbd engine still running perfectly. However, there is no power going to any of the dials for port engine - which i knew already - but zero power going to EVC for port engine either. so cannot do auto configure.

i am thinking it could be a faulty ignition switch. problem is access. I have all floorboards up, panels off in the saloon to try to access back of dash, panels off at the helm, but not joy. Waiting for Broom to call back. Access is a PITA

Trevor Nautical - i have Dean from Bottom Line coming tomorrow to take a look but unless he thinks he can fix it quickly, i will take spannerman's advice and get someone with plenty of EVC gremlin experience (once i have ruled out ignition switch).
 
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