2014 21ec won’t start!

T

TylerFromEverett

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 27, 2019
Messages
141
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C SE
Vessel Name
Kimberly Marie
Here’s the skinny, guys.

Boat has been sitting covered for 3 months in the PNW. Winterized and space heater in cabin. Charger plugged in.

Launched it today to go for a little cruise and it will not start.

Checked battery voltage and fuse in MDI and they check out okay. Battery is at 12.8 volts.

Here’s what it is doing; when I press the “on” button on the Volvo control panel, nothing happens. I’ve had a dead battery before and a loose ground and the tach would light up, but it wouldn’t fire off. Now, the tach won’t light up, nothing happens. Worried it’s the damned MDI box, but hoping it’s something simple or dumb.

Any advice?
 
I can't speak specifically to the 21ec, but many boat electrical systems are protected with this type of circuit breaker, generally close to the battery...

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0299/ ... 1607614467

If that little yellow bar is out, the circuit is popped. With the battery reading 12.8 and nothing else on the boat lighting up, that would be the first place I'd check.
 
Had a similar problem with my R-21 and it was the neutral switch. Try to move the shift lever a bit while starting.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Breaker is not tripped, but thanks for the suggestion.

Mark, we’re you not getting anything at the tach? My boat won’t fire off if it’s not in neutral, but the tach will light up. I’m dead as a doornail at the tach, no lights no beeps.
 
There is a connection plug on the back of the tach. Perhaps it came off or became loose during transport.

There is also the strange plastic type “key” on the engine. Make sure it is on and in the right position.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Tyler: sounds like you have a electrical issue! No power to the dash/key switch! I'm not familiar with the set up on the Volvo engine, however you should be able to start by jumping the starter just remember that it will be a little cold due to no power to the glow plugs but will start.
Good luck on the fix. Bob
 
Hi Tyler, I have the same year as you. I agree with Bob that jumping the starter would be a quick check to see if it is the MDI box. I have an emergency push button wired into my MDI box in case it fails.

If you try and jumper the starter and it still doesn't crank over then you can start to look elsewhere but it's a quick way to rule out the MDI box.

Also, with mine, I have not been able to "start" the engine with the push button without the glow plugs being energized. Maybe if I keep cranking for awhile it might fire. I'm told that I can wire another push button into the MDI box to energize the glow plugs so that's another item on my TO DO list.

Let us know how you make out.
 
Tyler, it must be time to trade it in and upsize to a bigger Tug! I’m sure Andrew can set you up. 😎 Knowing you, you’ll figure this out. Smooth waters are in front of you.
 
Hope you’re enjoying retirement, David! I love my little 21; bummed she’s sick right now. See you on the water.
 
Newf":vk2ypo31 said:
Hi Tyler, I have the same year as you. I agree with Bob that jumping the starter would be a quick check to see if it is the MDI box. I have an emergency push button wired into my MDI box in case it fails.

If you try and jumper the starter and it still doesn't crank over then you can start to look elsewhere but it's a quick way to rule out the MDI box.

Also, with mine, I have not been able to "start" the engine with the push button without the glow plugs being energized. Maybe if I keep cranking for awhile it might fire. I'm told that I can wire another push button into the MDI box to energize the glow plugs so that's another item on my TO DO list.

Let us know how you make out.
Click to expand...

Thanks. You don’t have any kind of key, by chance, do you? Mark mentioned a plastic key in the engine, but I don’t think our engines have them. If there is/was one on mine, I’ve never seen it and I’ve been all over the engine doing maintenance and cleaning.
 
Nope, no key. On/off button. Press on and tack lights up and then the start button same as yours.
 
I am sure the factory put a switch on the red positive cable to the starter and engine control box. Follow the red cable from the starter to the battery. Mine is mounted on the board between the engine and the batteries. It faces aft and has a big red plastic key in it. The key can be removed. It is not a normal key but has a small bar on the end that flips the switch. Many time have I tried to start the engine then realized I forgot to turn on the power to the engine. There are two switches on this board. One turns on all the house stuff on the starboard side and the other turns on the engine stuff on the port side, right above the strainer.
 
Tyler, There is some good information on the web about volvo marine engine not starting and no power to the control panel and troubleshooting. Seems this is not a new problem with that engine and can be corrected with a little research and patience. Most have installed a override starter switch! Lots of information on this site about that and how to's. Also getting the electrical schematic for your engine will help troubleshooting and understanding how it all works. As far as jumping the starter on a cold engine it will help to jump the glow plugs for about 10 seconds.
Good luck on the fix! Bob
 
I just double checked for the key you are referencing Pilotnavigator and nothing on mine. I'm assuming it's the key like the one in your photo album. What year is your boat/engine?

I traced the wire from the starter and it goes directly to the start battery. On mine, the only thing on the back of the panel between the engine and the batteries is the ACR. On the front of the same panel there is a 100A breaker. If this is tripped (as shown in the photo) the house side will not work but the tack will still come on and the engine will start.

The emergency button shown below on mine is wired directly into the MDI box but could also go to the starter solenoid instead. For the glow plug I've read that you can just add another push button or on/off switch wired between the "battery" post and 'Preheat" post on the MDI box as well. This will allow you to run but without the engine warnings that feed through the MDI Box.

Lots of reports online of these failed MDI boxes so hoping that this is not the issue with yours Tyler.

Newf



 
In my photo album I have a picture. Of my engine start switch with the rd key which can be removed when the switch is off, this needs to be on for the engine panel at the dash to work. My 21ec is a 2015.
 
Not sure why you do not have an engine switch seems like a good idea to be able to de energize the whole starter system.
 
I’m the same set up as you, Newf. Traced everything, checked voltage along the way and it seems that something has failed either with the on/off control panel, or the MDI itself. My tach went out and Fluid Motion replaced it under warranty. When it failed, it would light up and beep, but no display. The boat would start.

When my starting battery died, the tach would come up, but the battery didn’t have enough juice to fire the starter.

The ground wire that connects to the bottom of the engine broke once and the tach would light up and beep, but the engine would not turn over. I thought it was the MDI and right before I ordered one I noticed the loose ground wire.

When I thought it was the MDI then, I called Pacific Power Group and they told me a new MDI would be about 900 bucks and would not be covered by warranty, even though the engine was replaced with the whole emissions recall thing. This is absurd, that these MDI boxes fail so frequently and people have to shell out 900 bucks every time. Looks like some MDIs have been recalled, but the part number on mine is not part of a recall. So now, I either shell out 900 bucks or figure out how to rid my system of the MDI all together and wire up old school gauges and a push but start. Looks like some have done that. How annoying! I’ve only had the boat a year and it’s been one thing after another. All electrical. At least I’ve learned a lot doing the work myself.

I’m going to keep scratching my head before I pull the trigger on the MDI. I just want to cruise, dudes! It’s March tomorrow!

Thanks for your help.
 
Pilotnavigator":3q8pcg3r said:
Not sure why you do not have an engine switch seems like a good idea to be able to de energize the whole starter system.
Click to expand...

Where is the switch on your boat?
 
I had my MDI box fail and they replaced it because the newly installed recall engine was still under warranty. If it fails again I am going to do something drastic. I think I would install a cheap 12 volt hour meter, ditch the tachometer, and put in automotive type oil pressure and temperature warning lights. That, plus a simple pushbutton starter switch and a spring return (so you can't leave it on) glow plug switch. I can envision this costing less than $100. That $900 for a black plastic box is obscene, especially since they fail so often.

Larry
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

  • Tugnuts.com is the community hub for Ranger Tug, Cutwater, and Solara owners. Since its inception in 2008, the Tugnuts forum has grown into an active and thriving community of more than 9,000 members. It serves as both a meeting place for the best boating community online, and an invaluable archive of information.

  • User menu
Back
Top