Volvo D4 300 ignition sound

[AGLyme]

When starting, ignition is turned on, there is piercing noise, engine start occurs, ignition noise ceases.

When turning engine off, the ignition noise comes on until the ignition button is pressed.

Last eve, I went to turn the engine off while anchoring, and after I pressed “off”, the ignition sound did not happen.

Ditto when I turned the engine back on. Ignition pressed, green light turned on, No ignition sound. But the motor started after “start” was pressed.

Engine is running fine, shift lever was in the neutral position. The only issue is that the noise is no longer happening.

Is this a problem ?

Thank you.

 

[Rode Trip]

Yes, it's a problem. It's your low oil pressure/high temperature alarm buzzer. The problem could be in the buzzer itself or the wiring from the ignition switch to the buzzer.

 

[AGLyme]

Ok, thx.
But engine runs fine, good flow and always a solid 185 degs after warm up.
New impeller, oil, filter and coolant over summer.
Any suggestions on the ignition “alarm” on the Volvo… the condition being that it no longer makes the alarm noise after the ignition is turned “on”.
Thx

 

[Rode Trip]

You'll need to look at the back of the ignition panel. I have a different boat, different engine so I can't give you specifics. You'll see the buzzer/speaker for the alarm. Sometimes saltwater can get in them and cause them to fail. You can test it by hooking 12 volts directly to it. If the speaker mechanism itself is working, then it will be the wire connecting to the speaker from the ignition (positive) or a bad ground connection. Your problem will be one (always possible to be more than one) of those 3 things.

You can still run the engine, it won't hurt anything, but if you have an overheat problem or low oil pressure you won't know it and you could fatally damage your engine. Your first warning would be smoke and the engine stopping, or a loud boom, instead of the buzzer going off.

 

[AGLyme]

Thank you RT

 

[AGLyme]

For the knowledge base (future newbies like me)
Just left the Volvo Distributor… bought a see through bowl for the Racor unit.

I asked about the ignition sound issue.
He said that the ignition sound does not come on if the engine is warm. It only comes on when it’s cold.
This makes sense because I recently started anchoring the boat and the other day I picked up and moved after only a short stay… engine was warmed up. Did that twice.

FYI.

 

[Rode Trip]

So did you test it cold? Does it really work cold but not when warm?

I find it a little hard to believe. Low oil pressure is low oil pressure, even if the engine is warm it will damage the engine so why would the alarm not work? Part of the reason engines are meant to alarm before starting is so that owners know their low oil pressure and high temperature alarm circuits are working. Seems like a bit of unnecessary ECU circuitry with no real advantage or purpose.

 

[AGLyme]

Yes. Sound starts when ignition turned on… stops when engine is started, when cold.
Anchoring is new to me so I’m new to restarting a warm engine.
Typical trips since I bought the boat in June are start, go, return,stop.

 

[American Flyer]

You'll need to look at the back of the ignition panel. I have a different boat, different engine so I can't give you specifics. You'll see the buzzer/speaker for the alarm. Sometimes saltwater can get in them and cause them to fail. You can test it by hooking 12 volts directly to it. If the speaker mechanism itself is working, then it will be the wire connecting to the speaker from the ignition (positive) or a bad ground connection. Your problem will be one (always possible to be more than one) of those 3 things.

You can still run the engine, it won't hurt anything, but if you have an overheat problem or low oil pressure you won't know it and you could fatally damage your engine. Your first warning would be smoke and the engine stopping, or a loud boom, instead of the buzzer going off.

Is there a manual that explains the alarm functions and when they should activate? I have the D4 operating manual but it only glosses over the audible alarm. Reason for asking, I have never heard any audio alarm sound related to engine functions on my boat. I looked, there is a little speaker back there, similar to the one in your picture except it’s black. Is there a setting somewhere that might turn it off?

 

[AGLyme]

AF,
The "alarm" should come on as soon as the "Ignition" button is pressed... and the alarm goes off when the engine is started. Similar to an auto when the key is turned all the warning lights come on showing the driver that the warning lights work. The boat's alarm goes "on" during engine operation if there is an oil pressure or temperature issue during running.
I replaced my buzzer with a new one ($120). And when I press the ignition button I only hear a quick "chirp" instead of a long, loud annoying sound. My buzzer was intermittent last season - sometime it worked, sometime it did not. I'd like to get it fixed because the buzzer is a good early warning system for temp and pressure issues while underway.
My first Gremlin mystery.

 

[American Flyer]

AF,
The "alarm" should come on as soon as the "Ignition" button is pressed... and the alarm goes off when the engine is started. Similar to an auto when the key is turned all the warning lights come on showing the driver that the warning lights work. The boat's alarm goes "on" during engine operation if there is an oil pressure or temperature issue during running.
I replaced my buzzer with a new one ($120). And when I press the ignition button I only hear a quick "chirp" instead of a long, loud annoying sound. My buzzer was intermittent last season - sometime it worked, sometime it did not. I'd like to get it fixed because the buzzer is a good early warning system for temp and pressure issues while underway.
My first Gremlin mystery..

I’m not sure we have the same system. Mine has the two button electronic ignition/start switch but I never need to push the button marked ignition. When I swipe the rf key, the green light by the ignition button comes on and there is a small beep, I assume this is telling me it’s unlocked. It would be very annoying if there were an alarm going off the entire time I am waiting for the system to boot up and checking the gauges. Then, when I am ready to start, I push the start button and the engine starts. That’s all it’s ever done with no sound other than the small beep after the key swipe.

I am not very concerned as I am old school and keep the pressure and temp gauges front and center at all times. But I would like to know if the system is not operating correctly.

 

[AGLyme]

AF, for reference I have a RT 31cb with a Volvo Penta 300D (2013 model year).

So, I too have the 2 button Volvo System. I have to press the Ignition button first... the alarm comes on immediately (used to anyway - last year). The alarm turns off as soon as I press the 2nd button (Start/Stop) - to Start the engine.

I was taught - the alarm comes on while underway only if there is either a temp issue or a pressure issue.

The alarm initially goes on during the starting procedure to show the captain that the alarm is in working order. So the alarm sounding is only a couple of seconds...

Now, when the alarm was working... After I pulled into a dock, I would turn the engine off using the Start/Stop button... the alarm would then sound - and I am NOT supposed to turn the engine off using the 2nd button until at least 10 seconds have passed because the internal computer is being re-set... and then turn the "Ignition" button off.

This season, the alarm is not working... other than a quick chirp once I press the Ignition button. So all is quiet now during the start / stop procedures.

 

[American Flyer]

AF, for reference I have a RT 31cb with a Volvo Penta 300D (2013 model year).

So, I too have the 2 button Volvo System. I have to press the Ignition button first... the alarm comes on immediately (used to anyway - last year). The alarm turns off as soon as I press the 2nd button (Start/Stop) - to Start the engine.

I was taught - the alarm comes on while underway only if there is either a temp issue or a pressure issue.

The alarm initially goes on during the starting procedure to show the captain that the alarm is in working order. So the alarm sounding is only a couple of seconds...

Now, when the alarm was working... After I pulled into a dock, I would turn the engine off using the Start/Stop button... the alarm would then sound - and I am NOT supposed to turn the engine off using the 2nd button until at least 10 seconds have passed because the internal computer is being re-set... and then turn the "Ignition" button off.

This season, the alarm is not working... other than a quick chirp once I press the Ignition button. So all is quiet now during the start / stop procedures.

Interesting. It kind of makes sense, but I am glad I do not have to listen to the alarm all that time just to confirm it is working! Seems like the alarm should “test” when you push the start button and go off when oil pressure actually comes up. No need for it to “test” after stopping the engine either. I wonder how it is working for everyone else? Like yours did or like mine does, and yours does now, or some other configuration.

 

[snydzy]

Sure sounds like your boat has an aqua alarm water flow monitor installed….

 

[summer wind]

I also have the 2 button ignition switch, 2014 model. It has always made a quick chirp when the ignition button is turned on and no other responses for the start/stop or when the ignition is turned off. All warnings are displayed on the Garmin with pulsing screech.

 

[American Flyer]

I also have the 2 button ignition switch, 2014 model. It has always made a quick chirp when the ignition button is turned on and no other responses for the start/stop or when the ignition is turned off. All warnings are displayed on the Garmin with pulsing screech.

Thank you for the information, I am relieved to know my system seems to be working as it should.