Volvo Penta D1-20f : installing emergency starter

[Bristolfashion]

My VP engine having got to the noble age of 2yrs,1 month & 5 days, I've suffered the "black box of doom" - the ECU / MDI has failed. Since this seems to be a frequent complaint with these donks, I was wondering about installing an emergency start. My thought was a starter relay connecting battery/starter motor down as close as possible with a simple push button start just above the engine. I wouldn't have any glow but assume that this is more likely to get used when the engine is already at least warm. If the whole MDI is stuffed, there wouldn't be any alarms, but I see this as a "get in to safety" backup.

Any problems with this set up?
Any recommendations for parts, siting etc?
Would testing it stuff the MDI?

I'm aware of the "screwdriver across the contacts" approach, but this seemed a touch more elegant and possibly quicker and safer in a pressure situation.

Thank you, as ever, for reading.

 

[Heckler]

My VP engine having got to the noble age of 2yrs,1 month & 5 days, I've suffered the "black box of doom" - the ECU / MDI has failed. Since this seems to be a frequent complaint with these donks, I was wondering about installing an emergency start. My thought was a starter relay connecting battery/starter motor down as close as possible with a simple push button start just above the engine. I wouldn't have any glow but assume that this is more likely to get used when the engine is already at least warm. If the whole MDI is stuffed, there wouldn't be any alarms, but I see this as a "get in to safety" backup.

Any problems with this set up?
Any recommendations for parts, siting etc?
Would testing it stuff the MDI?

I'm aware of the "screwdriver across the contacts" approach, but this seemed a touch more elegant and possibly quicker and safer in a pressure situation.

Thank you, as ever, for reading.

look under the mdi box. There are three 6mm nuts with connections to them. The red and yellow nearest the engine is the feed to the starter solenoid. The middle thick red is the positive feed, the ouside one is the feed to the glow plugs. Just jump the middle one to the red and yellow to make the starter work. VP dealers in Portugal fitted a starter button to the front of a brand new one with wires going to these terminals. They couldnt fix the problem till I got involved and helped the owner of a brand new Ovni! The issue with these boxes would appear to be the lack of flyback diodes to prevent backflow of coil induced current/voltage to the mdi box. I have written an article for PBO detailing all.

 

[Bristolfashion]

Thanks Heckler, I'm a PBO subscriber & have all the back copies - which month did your article appear?

Cheers

 

[Heckler]

Thanks Heckler, I'm a PBO subscriber & have all the back copies - which month did your article appear?

Cheers

Not printed yet, editor still deciding.

 

[Heckler]

Thanks Heckler, I'm a PBO subscriber & have all the back copies - which month did your article appear?

Cheers

pm me an email address and Ill get some stuff to you, there was a recall by VP and they have been giving out free boxes
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=174231&d=1532430018

 

[PaulRainbow]

look under the mdi box. There are three 6mm nuts with connections to them. The red and yellow nearest the engine is the feed to the starter solenoid. The middle thick red is the positive feed, the ouside one is the feed to the glow plugs. Just jump the middle one to the red and yellow to make the starter work. VP dealers in Portugal fitted a starter button to the front of a brand new one with wires going to these terminals. They couldnt fix the problem till I got involved and helped the owner of a brand new Ovni! The issue with these boxes would appear to be the lack of flyback diodes to prevent backflow of coil induced current/voltage to the mdi box. I have written an article for PBO detailing all.

Sounds like a mom-off-mom switch connected to the three terminals would give heat and start ?

 

[Heckler]

Sounds like a mom-off-mom switch connected to the three terminals would give heat and start ?

Si!

 

[idomeneus5]

i had mine replaced, D1-30 but was worried it would happen again. I found a you tube video clearly showing how to use a starter switch and which wires to join. will try to find it when i get back on board tonight.

 

[idomeneus5]

found it, "Volvo Penta MDI Black Box failure / Emergency Starting"

 

[Heckler]

i had mine replaced, D1-30 but was worried it would happen again. I found a you tube video clearly showing how to use a starter switch and which wires to join. will try to find it when i get back on board tonight.

See post 2