Engine Status Panel

[Thomas_U]

I have a question regarding the Engine Status Panel on my 2012 Glastron that is powered by a Volvo-Penta 5.7L V-8 engine. Over the five years I have owned this boat, the Engine Status alarm lights and horn never came on except to beep when starting the engine. However, this winter, after taking the boat out of storage, it has suddenly gone on and off several times while cruising at low speed. All instrument gauges are reading normal, dealer scheduled maintenance has been performed, and the engine is running smooth.

So a few days ago I had the dealer’s diagnostic guy come over. He hooked up his pre-programmed laptop and plugged it into the engine, but no fault codes came up. We tried with key off, key on, engine off, engine on, even when the alarm went off, but still no fault codes. He said he didn’t know what was causing the alarm horn and warning lights to come on, but he would call Volvo-Penta Tech Support when he returned to the shop, and let me know. That was several days ago.

So, the boat has just been sitting at my dock because I don’t dare take her on a cruise when I don’t know how serious the underlying problem is with the warnings. And I am reluctant to take it to the dealer, as they would probably run up a large bill checking over the whole boat, and maybe couldn’t find the problem.

I have read related posts on this forum, but those engines had fault codes. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Tom in FL

 

[Scott Danforth]

your tech needs to plug in and either have the manual handy while looking at live data, or the experience needed while looking at live data.

95% of the time there are no fault codes

additionally, alarms are for low oil pressure, high water temperature, low gear oil level, low battery voltage etc. start with the basics

 

[QBhoy]

I think the answer would depend a lot on what particular engine this is. If it’s of that age, it could be a gxi perhaps ? That would introduce the thinking that it could be one of many many sensors, faults or otherwise…over the usual and more basic versions of the 5.7.
Given your description, my first assumption would be around the IAC. Also on my mind (when you say it happens at low speed) might be around an overheat, caused by a failed or perished water pump impeller. This would also make sense, when you say the diagnosis picked up no faults. You would only get this alarm when it’s actually happening perhaps.

 

[Thomas_U]

Thanks guys for the feedback. The technician is a young fellow, I'm not sure how much training he has. My full engine model is: 5.7 GiC-300-R. Not sure what "IAC" is. I read that part of the Volvo Operator's Manual that gives general information about the Engine Status Panel. I also saw a chart on the internet giving the reasons the lights and/or alarm will go off, but I failed to bookmark it. I am assuming that my instrument panel gauges are accurate, meaning the water temperature, oil pressure, voltage, and fuel level are correct. The dealer changed the motor oil, gear oil, checked hydraulic fluid, etc., etc., last month right after I put her in the water. Could the "alarm kit" itself be defective? Could there be some moisture in the 14-pin connector causing the warnings to go off?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Check the accuracy....do not assume

The dealer tech should be doing this if you paid forr diagnostic service

 

[Thomas_U]

Thanks guys - I am going to take a day to work on this. Will unscrew the helm instrument consol and start checking all wires, pin connectors, etc., leading back to the engine. Also will check gauges to make sure they are working properly. Water pump impeller was changed a couple years ago and should be okay. Finally, I noticed in the V-P Engine Manual that there is a gear oil sensor reset that must be performed when changing the gear oil. I will contact the dealer's service manager and have him ask the mechanic who changed the oil if he "maybe forgot" to perform the reset. I appreciate your input. Tom

 

[bruceb58]

This is exactly why I own a Rinda Diacom. Expensive but worth it.