VP 2003 alarm

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kalanka

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A few months ago a number of people indicated that they regarded the alarm sounding briefly at startup as normal. There was a subsequent post where someone made it pretty clear that this was not at all normal and instead signaled a problem to be fixed before starting failure ensued. I recall the solution being a wire from alternator and or starter.

I can no longer trace this very helpful post. Can anyone help with a link or a reiteration of the advice?
Thanks
 
I assume the alarm you are discussing is the low oil pressure alarm. When the engine is stopped the oil pressure is zero, so naturally the alarm sounds when the key is first turned. As soon as the engine is running the oil pressure increases and the alarm stops. Perfectly normal.
 
This one.......?

It is well known by long term owners, and as has been discussed here recently the warning lights and horn on these models are slightly unusual in that on switch on the 3 lights should be illuminated and the horn stays silent unless the test button is depressed. On a recent cruise (I would guess probably for 10 or more starts) I was aware that on switch on I could just hear the faintest of horn sounds before a press of the starter and all became normal. Then annoyingly prior to the last leg home it all changed. On switch on the horn sounded at full volume the oil light was brightly on and the engine would not crank. I thought I had checked all the connections both behind the control panel and all around the engine when I resorted to a trip to the engineers but unsurprisingly Bastille day celebrations meant no one was available. I then resorted to this forum convinced I had read of a similar situation but could not for the life of me find it or remember the solution. I attempted to post a request for help but apparently after the recent upgrade Internet Explorer 8 refuses to allow posts so I resorted to Vyv Cox's site and e-mailed him for help on the off chance he was on line. Imagine my surprise and relief when almost immediately a response with the suggestion of at least a jump start direct from the battery to the starter relay (it's the bottom nut with a rubber cover on it that your aiming for). This concurred with the advice from a friend with whom I had been discussing as well so a trip to the chandler a metre and a bit of thinnish battery cable and the engine was running. I could then immediately see that the tacho was still at zero and with the engine switched off found the culprit. There is a 5mm earthing cable around 20cm long connecting the rear of the alternator to the top bolt of the forward starboard engine mount where it is bolted to the engine block and it was hanging loose. Mine was black with some overspray of Volvo green on it which explains why I had not noticed it in my search for a fault. Not long afterwards I was back fully commissioned ready for the next day departure. So all I am saying is after 20 odd years of engine vibrations on your 5mm multi-strand cable it could like mine be about to break and most likely do it at the most inconvenient time. Have a quick check and if ever you hear that faint beep prior to start have a closer look. If you ever get a full horn and the middle oil light bright with no cranking you can do straight to it to replace it or reconnect. A big thank you again to Vyv Cox and happy sailing to one and all.
 
I was the author of the thread reproduced by John 320 in post#3 and I stand by my post. On a normal cold start at the point the engine system is switched on whether by key or button there should be no sound from the warning horn. I was describing a situation where for a number of times I could hear a faint beep on switch on that had never been there before. If you have such a beep then I suggest you check the connection from the alternator to the engine mount. The rest of the thread is here
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?405033-Volvo-Penta-2000-series-owners-take-a-note
there is a helpful picture in post #9

Cheers....... Bill
 
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