Volvo Penta D2-40: intermitent instrument panel fault

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CJ13

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We have a VP D2-40 (2006) and have recently had an intermitent fault with the Instrument Panel- it's the Instrument Panel with electrical stop/start function, & no ignition switch.

Occasionally after the engine has run for a while the Tachometer stops working - it reads 4500rpm and the Engine Hours Meter goes blank. At other times the Tacho is ok, but the Engine Hours Meter flashes off for an instant every 10-15 seconds or so, although it still seems to keep an accurate measure of the hours.
On 2 or 3 occasions at the end of the day while parking the alarm comes on for a few seconds- this is as were manovering around the marina and nothing to do with a sudden change in revs.

Does anyone have an idea of the cause and solution??

Many thanks,

John
 
Hi Lenseman,

When you say warm how do you mean? We're in the Costa Blanca at present, so everything is fairly hot. Are you talking about the panel being exceptionally hot to touch?

I forgot to say that when the Tacho /Eng Hours Meter stops working if i switch off and then on again it works OK.
 
Hiya John - Not 'hot', hot but as the unit is in use, hear from the electronics circuits is being generated and there is possibly a dry joint on the pcb.

The fact that if you switch it off and on again restores it to normal would make me think of a 'clock' circuit inside which re-sets or re-latches but I don't think that is what you are suffering from. The switching off and on just might cause an 'inrush current' to temporarily cure the fault for a few moments or minutes.

Looking at the pcb with a loupe, watch-makers eye glass or powerful magnifier would be the first thing, assuming you have been on to the manufacturer to see if this could be a stock fault for which they can suggest the standard 'fix'?
 
I've experienced the Tacho problem on quite a few boats but in the winter when it's colder.
Because you also have an issue with the alarm coming on my money would be a loose connection on the back of the alternator.
 
I have no explanation to suggest, but I find this thread very interesting as I have a similar problem with my instrument panel for a Beta 722 (also 2006, push button start/stop).
Very occasionally the tachometer suddenly springs the the top end of the scale, hours meter goes blank. This sometimes happens already on start up, but more often associated with a an increase of revs while running. Shut down and restart of engine will almost always reset things to normal, sometimes I need to do so twice.
Several days or weeks may pass before this behaviour occurs again (so really not much of a problem).
Would be nice to get an explanation and possible cure, though.
 
I had a similar problem with my set up which I believe will be the same as yours.
I found a connector block joining the wiring from the engine to the control panel and pulled it apart. I then sprayed inside the connector block with one of those electrical cleaning solvents that come in an aerosol, reconnected the two halves of the connector block and sealed it with self amalgamating tape.
That was three years ago, and I haven't had any recurrence.
CJ
 
What is the serial number for the engine? D2-40A & D2-40B had issues with the oil pressure alarm going off on hot engines when idling, which could explain the alarm going off? There is a new p/n sensor to correct this issue if it's that.

As for the MDI, whats the part number? There was a recall campaign on some of these, as they had similar problems with sending info to the instruments - it depends what stickers are on your unit though. I'm not sure how to add a picture but the part number will be in the bottom left hand corner of the label on the MDI, with the number reading vertically towards the top left hand corner of the label, if that makes sense! Also, uneffected units will have a sticker with 'K-253' on them.

Check the cable for any joins, if these got water in them it could cause problems obviously, or if they aren't quite clicked together properly, or if any of the pins have pushed back into the plug.

Andy
 
PS - as no-one has mentioned 'MDI unit' yet, I'd best clarify, it's the black box on the side of the engine that the start/stop panel, the tacho Multilink plug and the fuel tank sender (if fitted) plugs into. Also has the red/yellow cranking wire to the starter.
 
Hi Andy,

Thanks for the info.
I've never heard of an MDI but will check tomorrow.
I did take the Instrument Panel out today and check the connections which all seemed ok, however the problem with the engine hours meter seems to have been cured, so perhaps it was a faulty connection.
I'm aware of the problem with the oil pressure gauge, after running at high revs, but the alarm going off is not that. On thinking when it happens it's only after we've stopped on a reception pontoon, with the engine off, to chech in for say 15-30 minutes, and are then moving to a berth at low revs and the alarm is intermittent.

John
 
I've looked at the MDI, but mine has no label or print of any kind on the outside- do i need to open it?
As an aside our fuel gauge has never worked (the boat was 2 years old when we bought her in 2008). I'd assumed it was a faulty sender, but from what you say could it be the MDI??
 
J N MacDonald, Volvo agents, were able to tell me that I did not have one of the suspect units in a telephone call. They had to have the engine number in order to check.
Their tel number is 0141 810 3400
 
Yes, if you've got the 10 digit serial number a dealer should be able to check. 'A' generation engines have a relay box, where as 'B' & later have the MDI. Can you take a picture of it? Serial number would be helpful though!
 
The problem with the engine hours meter is back. so i've obviously not fixed it.
My engine no is D2-40A 868978 5102 000665 - is this of any relavance?
 
Could be a wiring problem...intermittent connection.
Wires (where unsupported) are subject to stresses owing to vibration causing flexing.
This flexing over time has been known to damage the cable.
Possible ?
 
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