Volvo MDI unit failures on D" series engines

I have had a similar experience with my d2-75, in my case the engine stop solenoid would engage randomly at first and then it also disabled the start function. Luckily the stop solenoid could be disconnected and the engine could be started by jumping the starter motor. As I used the boat for diving and Volvo were in denial about the issue I put in a conventional control system and instrument panel to give me reliability.
I now have a complete Volvo engine control system and new mdi available if anyone wants to purchase it.
 
I have the engine featured in the article, though I haven't had any probs with the Black box, I will add re-locating it to my list of 'things to do' I may even have time if we end up writing this season off.
 
If only I had more speed said:
I have had a similar experience with my d2-75, in my case the engine stop solenoid would engage randomly at first and then it also disabled the start function. Luckily the stop solenoid could be disconnected and the engine could be started by jumping the starter motor. As I used the boat for diving and Volvo were in denial about the issue I put in a conventional control system and instrument panel to give me reliability.
I now have a complete Volvo engine control system and new mdi available if anyone wants to purchase it.
Click to expand...

Hello,
I'm going through the same nightmare, MDI foobar'd 3 times in a row in less than 15 hours each runtime,
I now want to part from this MDI mess, and like others , I want to put in a conventional control system and instrument panel .

ANY INFO ON PART NUMBERS AND PROCEDURE APPRECIATED.

VP has not been interested in fixing the issue, MDI is now at release 7 , still dangerous black box. Ours started the engine twice by itself! then wouldn't shut down.

HELP !
 
Unfortunately it's not a quick fix. I sourced the parts from ASAP marine supplies to produce the control panel with appropriate senders. I also arranged for alarms for lube oil pressure, coolant temperature and due to Volvo's wastegate issues I included boost pressure. Starting was achieved with a normal key starter and stopping was through the Volvo solenoid with an in line resistor to limit current flow. I'll get a few photos to give you some ideas
 
That looks good but as you say, a lot of effort.
FWIW I had my D2-55 MDI diagnosed by a VP official engineer as deceased only last month. After fitting the €550 replacement turns out this wasn't the problem but failed cable insulation was the cause of a dead tacho. Anyhow, during the diagnostic process I came across this post:
General Info Volvo Penta MDI Black Box RECALL - Cruisers & Sailing Forums
and my serial number fell within the affected range but VP in Brussels said my specific engine was unaffected?
I'm no engineer but the whole concept of bolting a box of PCBs to a crude diesel engine simply to relay data to instruments seems fundamentally flawed. I've seen links where the MDI has been relocated off the engine and I believe the original wiring harness allows this but can't find them now.
 
Quiddle said:
That looks good but as you say, a lot of effort.
FWIW I had my D2-55 MDI diagnosed by a VP official engineer as deceased only last month. After fitting the €550 replacement turns out this wasn't the problem but failed cable insulation was the cause of a dead tacho. Anyhow, during the diagnostic process I came across this post:
General Info Volvo Penta MDI Black Box RECALL - Cruisers & Sailing Forums
and my serial number fell within the affected range but VP in Brussels said my specific engine was unaffected?
I'm no engineer but the whole concept of bolting a box of PCBs to a crude diesel engine simply to relay data to instruments seems fundamentally flawed. I've seen links where the MDI has been relocated off the engine and I believe the original wiring harness allows this but can't find them now.
Click to expand...
Yes. I also read the post you described on CForum , relocating away from heat and vibrations. Wires are long enough to do just that.
I also came across this great info about converting analog data to NMEA2000 data. That sparked my interest:
Volvo Penta MDI (Black Box) failures - Page 5 - Cruisers & Sailing Forums
 
Morning, I'm on my second mdi, I think a recall from VP is still ongoing, my mechanic is contacting them, replacement was A$950.00 excluding labour which would have been another A$260.00. This time the led screen started "lighting up" and an alarm sounding intermittently, thought at first it was a leak from my shore power system to the battery system but was able to disconnect that, same thing happened on battery's, 2 days later system died, as happened on the first mdi. One guy I chatted to in the USA is on his 6th mdi, Take care to check the actual part number on the mdi, in some cases they differ to the carton, the number on the mdi may fall into the range of known faulty mdi's
 
I’ve had no trouble with the MDI box on my D2-55 but having read numerous reports of them failing, I fitted a manual start button to the side of my engine. It operates independently of the MDI so the instruments won’t work but saves having to get access to the starter terminals in a hurry if the MDI relay fails. Use the manual fuel shutoff to stop the engine.
E8B77D3C-E999-4871-8743-A8301208D354.jpeg
 
Neeves said:
.
You need to know how to start (and stop) independently - long screw driver works a treat. If you are unsure - speak to a Volvo dealer - they all know the issues, most are keeping their heads down.
Click to expand...

My boat has a 2020 year d2-60 so unlikely to have the dodgey mdi but your comment on starting the engine with a screwdriver sounded like useful info to know. Can someone elaborate? Thanks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top