Start button doesn't engage starter - on two occasions now

[sheral]

Re: 2015 Volvo Penta D1-30F

On two occasions now the Volvo Penta in our 2015 R21-EC didn't start. The other day, right after our initial service check up we went to start the boat and it didn't turn over. Again today while out fishing it failed to start.

Typical start procedure: We turn the off/on button on and watch the tach lights come on then push the start button ...

The first time the engine wouldn't start we had tried the a/n procedure about three times and then checked the engine compartment. On the first occasion, along with going through the usual start up procedure (and ensuring the throttle lever was in neutral) I wiggled the engine battery cable to the hot terminal and the next attempt it started. So when I got home I tightened up all the battery terminals and it worked fine until today.

Today we were out fishing and had turned the engine off when hooking into a fish. When the high fives were finished, the engine didn't engage when I hit the start button.

Checked all the battery leads again and moved the throttle control forwards and backwards and into neutral and it started.

The only thing done both times was to move the control - throttle lever forward and backwards and into neutral to ensure it was in neutral and wiggling the battery cables. However today the last thing I did before the engine started was move the throttle control and made sure it was still in neutral.

Is there some type of 'lock out' that doesn't allow the starter to turn if the control isn't in neutral or if the control lever doesn't think it's in neutral?

Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[baz]

Well, based on the things you've done EACH time (i.e., wiggle/check battery connection and check throttle is in neutral). Each time after doing BOTH of these things the engine started. So, IMO the problem is one of three possibilities...

1) Combination of throttle neutral switch malfunction AND loose/bad battery terminal connection
or
2) Throttle neutral switch malfunction
or
3) Loose/bad battery terminal connection

Next time the engine doesn't start perform ONLY procedure 2) or 3) to determine which results in engine starting or not. If neither causes the engine to start then the issue is 1).

N.B. You probably know this.... The Volvo Penta D1 does employ glow plugs and these should be allowed to heat up before starting the engine.

 

[sheral]

Well, based on the things you've done EACH time (i.e., wiggle/check battery connection and check throttle is in neutral). Each time after doing BOTH of these things the engine started. So, IMO the problem is one of three possibilities...

1) Combination of throttle neutral switch malfunction AND loose/bad battery terminal connection
or
2) Throttle neutral switch malfunction
or
3) Loose/bad battery terminal connection

Next time the engine doesn't start perform ONLY procedure 2) or 3) to determine which results in engine starting or not. If neither causes the engine to start then the issue is 1).

N.B. You probably know this.... The Volvo Penta D1 does employ glow plugs and these should be allowed to heat up before starting the engine.

Copy thanks. As for the glow plugs - I can't see it being the glow plugs because the engine had been running for at least an hour before turning it off today, and it was a scorcher too.

 

[sheral]

Is there a 'neutral safety switch' on the Volvo D1-30?

 

[SGIDAVE]

Is there a 'neutral safety switch' on the Volvo D1-30?

Hello Sheral,

On my 2013 Yanmar-powered 21EC there IS a neutral safety switch. I've not noticed the actual switch in the engine compartement, like on the bigger tugs. I wonder if it is incorporated into the throttle/gear shift lever. I'm not at the boat now so won't be able to investigate.

Ensure ALL your battery cables are tight. This includes not only the cables attached directly to the batteries but also those going to the ACR/s and buss bars. A single loose nut could cause this situation.

dave

 

[sheral]

copy on 'all' the cables. i will go through everything (all the connections) again today.

from what i have read, the Yanmar neutral switch is located at the reverse drive near the linkage and the Volvo's - if equipped - have it integrated into the throttle lever...

 

[K7MXE]

I had issues with the starter switch itself and the reason was I had several keys on a ring swinging around and the switch was not designed for that. My problem was not lack of the starter engaging but it engaged on its own and in the end I replaced the starter and the switch but put a extra safety switch in the line so that could not happen again. Might be something to think about.

 

[dalee62]

The throttle lever position on mine is very finnicky as to whether the engine starts or not. Most of the time the engine will not start without a little lever adjustment. If the engine does not start I just hold the key in the on position and give the lever a tap. Usually in the reverse direction and away it goes.

Dave

 

[sheral]

The throttle lever position on mine is very finnicky as to whether the engine starts or not. Most of the time the engine will not start without a little lever adjustment. If the engine does not start I just hold the key in the on position and give the lever a tap. Usually in the reverse direction and away it goes.

Dave

Ahhhh... thanks Dave. That's what I think is going on here too... On our 2015 we don't have a key just a start button. But next time it happens (doesn't start) I'm just going to try the old lever manipulation trick.

 

[sheral]

So, just in case this helps someone in the future, here it is...

I removed every battery cable, cleaned all the connections with emery cloth, bolted everything up tight and applied a coating of my favourite non-corrosive electrical contact grease.

At least I know that's all good for at least another year.

Sooooo, out fishing again and hook into a Coho. Stop the engine and net the fish. Turn the on/off power button on the Volvo-Penta control panel...the tach lights up...wait for the two beeps...hit the start button...nothing. Maybe it's just me but I really hate bobbing around in the ocean when your motor won't start. The wife and I just look at each other and 'the look' is worth more than a picture. I have flashes of spending the rest of my days in a maximum security penitentiary after I loose it on a few people ...

Fast forward... from the information on this site I am now schooled enough to try just the throttle manipulation trick. Sure enough that's all it is and she fires up right away. I must have an extremely sensitive or mal-adjusted neutral safety switch.

So anyways, long story short... thank you to everyone that makes this forum so amazing. There is obviously more precise information on here at times than what we can get from our dealers / service people. Kinda sad but what a valuable resource for all of us. Thank you!