Volvo won't turn over

[Sunsetrider]

Volvo MD17C: Yesterday prepping for our first social outing I took the boat around the marina channels for a little single-screw practice, then back to the dock and shut off. The motor had started up first crank and was running smoothly. Half hour later the guests arrive and the engine won't even turn over and the instruments lie dormant - nothing happens! But both batteries show over 12 V. and the lights etc. all work as does the bilge pump (I suspect the Perko is wired wrong because the house lights come on even of the Perko is at "off" but that's another story).

When I shut the motor down I made a point of pulling the stop engine cable before turning the key off, although I may have done the reverse the week before in my ignorance at the time. I do not know if a blown alternator would have the effect as outlined above.

Any ideas???

 

[Vosman]

Re: Volvo won't turn over

Volvo MD17C: Yesterday prepping for our first social outing I took the boat around the marina channels for a little single-screw practice, then back to the dock and shut off. The motor had started up first crank and was running smoothly. Half hour later the guests arrive and the engine won't even turn over and the instruments lie dormant - nothing happens! But both batteries show over 12 V. and the lights etc. all work as does the bilge pump (I suspect the Perko is wired wrong because the house lights come on even of the Perko is at "off" but that's another story).

When I shut the motor down I made a point of pulling the stop engine cable before turning the key off, although I may have done the reverse the week before in my ignorance at the time. I do not know if a blown alternator would have the effect as outlined above.

Any ideas???

There is a flat plastic fuse block in system. On 17 it was attached to the belt cover or thermostat housing bolt. There are 4 separate fuse links in block. Pull wire and switch to another link. See if that works.

 

[Sunsetrider]

Re: Volvo won't turn over

Went today (before reading this reply) and the damn thing started right up . . . wife figures the gods did not want us to take others with us on our virgin cruise. But I really should address the Perko issue. What's the point in turning the batt switch to "Off" when all the accessories can still be inadvertently left on? It's almost as though someone installed a batt switch, hooked the batt inputs to it, but noting to the output.

So many wires . . . .

 

[Vosman]

Re: Volvo won't turn over

Albins are such fun. If you have power at the engine panel and it won't start, check the large white wire going to the solenoid. That is the trigger wire to energize solenoid. It has a spade end that gets loose from vibration over time. Makes an intermittent contact

 

[Sunsetrider]

Re: Volvo won't turn over

Sounds like that might be it. Now to find the solenoid . . . :embarassed:

 

[Vosman]

Re: Volvo won't turn over

Starboard side under manifold right behind flywheel.