Volvo MD2030 intermittent electrical starting issue

[North Haven Pete]

Hi my Volvo MD2030 has a strange intermittent starting issue. On initial start up never a problem. After sailing for some time occasionally when the starter button is pressed you get nothing, no click no turn over nothing. After a while and a few tries over sometimes a minute or 3 the motor will turn over and start. The problem is hard to problem solve because it never does it when you want it to.
Any ideas???

 

[VicS]

No click at all not even the sound of a relay ?

Bad connection in one of the multi-pin connectors in the wiring loom
or
Bad connection to the starter relay

Possibly bad panel switch or start button .

 

[john_morris_uk]

Bad connection in one of the multi-pin connectors in the wiring loom
or
Bad connection to the starter relay

Wot he said. There are multiple connections that can corrode and give exactly the symptoms you’re describing. The starter relay is notorious also.

 

[mattnj]

FYI, the entire loom is super easy to remove, take a few photos and disconnect all the wires (there isn't that many) then the whole thing comes away and you can give it some proper attention/clean/check on the bench...

You can then be sure every part/connection is in good clean order

I just did exactly that on my MD2020

 

[Neeves]

Its a simple and quick check.

Swap the 2 relays - I think they are the same.

This may solve the problem (because there is a fault in one of them) and/or Bec use the connecting pins of the relays are corroded.

Next

As previous posts, above.

Jonathan

 

[seumask]

Before you do anything time consuming check the power on/ off switch next to the starter button the press once for on and again for off switch. I had very similar symptoms and and was struggling to work out where the gremlin was, it was this switch ! The switch developed a dodgy contact sometimes it worked fine other it did not. It is an easy switch to replace or bypass.

 

[VicS]

Before you do anything time consuming check the power on/ off switch next to the starter button the press once for on and again for off switch. I had very similar symptoms and and was struggling to work out where the gremlin was, it was this switch ! The switch developed a dodgy contact sometimes it worked fine other it did not. It is an easy switch to replace or bypass.

If the panel power switch is the cause the warning lights won't come on or will behave eratically,the alarm test will be iffy , the tachometer will misbehave and the glow plugs will be affected too. If all those things behave normally its unlikely to be the switch, but the possibility is not to be overlooked entirely.

 

[slipknot]

I had similar problem with a 2030. Intermittent earth connection. The cable had broken inside the eye crimp/heat shrink that connects to the rhs of the engine block. All looked as it should, and sometimes it was. All separated when you gave it a wiggle. 2 mins to fix

 

[tillergirl]

Can I add one additional potential issue: On our 2030, it was the Off-One-Both switch. I always used 'both' to start and I suffered intermittent 'nothings' increasing frequently. A simple test turned out to use one battery which never failed. Stripping the battery switch I found the battery switch terminal has burnt: low power was no problem but full ooph for the starter would work. New battery switch, problem solved. Nuffin wrong with the engine.

 

[CJTurner]

Starter motor brushes caused it on both of my 2003's. The older one had a normal starter similar to one from cars. The newer had a smaller starter with a gear ring and 4 brushes acting against the end of the commutator, ie at 90 degrees to the shaft. A nightmare to strip and pointless...replaced it for £80.