MDI Failure, requesting advice.

[TylerFromEverett]

Hello everyone.

Based on the symptoms, it looks like my MDI may have failed. Luckily it happened literally when I pulled into my dock. Engine control panel quit working, tach flashes. Tach will light up and the control panel will beep, but when I hit start, the tach display goes out and starts to flash, no start. It’s a 2014 with a replaced Volvo D1-30 with 103 hours on it.

Does anyone have advice on remedying this? Even a possible warranty? I’ve heard these units are problematic but seeking advice from fellow Tugnuts who have experienced and fixed this issue. Thanks!

 

[bob daily]

Tyler, I believe if you search this forum you will get the information that's requested. Also might want to research emergency start switch. Bob

 

[TylerFromEverett]

Tyler, I believe if you search this forum you will get the information that's requested. Also might want to research emergency start switch. Bob

Hey Bob. Thanks for always being the first to reply. I plan to install an emergency start switch. Had always planned to, but now it’s more of a priority as I have experienced the failure of the MDI. I can’t quit thinking of what I would have done if it had failed while out cruising. I searched the forum and could not find any advice on what fellow members did to remedy the issue. Who to contact to get a new one, how/where to get one at the best rate etc.? I’ll check again.

 

[lproulx]

I think the people who sell and service over the road Volvo tractors can sell you an MDI box - for about $800! I got mine replaced under warranty on a recall engine.

Don't give up immediately on the box. The other day I think I might have punched the buttons too fast or something, and then got no results. After starting the engine with the emergency push button, all was OK afterwards. Volvo seems to be utterly incapable of getting this box right. It has had many versions. I would hope they would cut us some slack with relatively new, low time engines.

A couple of comments, without duplicating too much of what has been said about the emergency start button. Don't worry about the glow plugs - at any reasonable sane boating temperature the engine will start fine without them. My previous sailboat engine didn't even have any.

(another) Larry

 

[Captain Nice]

My recall replacement engine (nearly two years ago now) did not come with the latest version of the MDI (VP can tell from the model number). They were kind enough to send me one at no charge. You’ve nothing to lose by contacting them.

CN

 

[REO6205]

Changing the MDI is easy, even for a non mechanic like myself. It took about twenty minutes and I work slow.
I lost mine at about 150 hours on a recall replacement engine. Helmut's Marine in San Rafael overnited one to me at no charge. There are part numbers on the MDI that designate when it was built, which production run etc. A good V/P dealer will make sure you get an MDI that wasn't in the bad batch.
I have just over five hundred hours on the new MDI and no problems.
Oh...amen to the emergency starter switch. They can be handy to have. That's my next project but right now salmon fishing takes precedence over wrenching.