Push button starter panel - 2014 Ranger Tug 21EC

Hoping someone has some insight. New problem. Yesterday I took the tug out on the Hood Canal. When I went to start in in the marina, it had a delayed start. Pushed the on off button to turn it on, then pushed the start button (after making sure I was set to neutral). Engine didn't turn over right away but turned over and started after a couple of seconds without my finger on the start button. Then after we got out on the water and shut down for awhile we were going to head back in and it did the same thing again....delayed starting. when we got into the dock, it didn't want to shut down the first couple of times I hit the stop button. I was starting to think I was going to have to use fuel cutoff, when it finally shut down. Then it got even weirder. I was on the dock helping my bride finish tying up the boat when it started by itself and then shut off. It did that twice. So then I check it out further before we depart. I start it and it has the delayed start issue and then when I hit the off button, it shuts down while I'm pushing the button but then starts running again when I let up on the button. It did that a few times before it finally shut down. Not sure where to start trouble shooting but I have noticed that some folks have installed a remote starter switch which I think I will do as I don't have the red key start in the engine compartment. Any ideas would be most welcome.

I have a 2014 also. Do you have the Volvo engine? The start panel sounds familiar, unlike Yanmar. If so, I assume you experience this with a cold engine: Turn on panel. Volvo logo and then hours should show up on display. Wait about ten secons for a beep, meaning the glow plugs have heated up and done their thing. Start button should then immedeately start engine. Egnine should shut down immediately upon pressing stop button. If engine is at all warm, it will start immediately without waiting for beep. Any deviation from that is not normal, expecially mysterious uncommanded start/stop. Egnine has a history of problems with the so called MDI box, a small plastic box bolted to left side of engine near starter. You may have a problem with that box, which is not cheap. There is much discussion of this topic in he message archives, although I don't remember anything half as strange as your experience.

Regarding emergency button(s), I put in an emergency start button that simply engages the starter. Unless the engine is really cold, (like at the dock, where it won't matter as much) it will start fairly promptly without the glow plugs.

About stopping it - That could be a real safety issue. I suggest cutting a small notch in the engine box lip near the mechanical stop lever on the egine and running a wire or rope cord from the stop lever out through the notch, with a T handle on it so a good yank will stop the engine.

Let us know how you resolve these mysteries!

Larry