Mechanical vs. Electronic


Divergirl

Divergirl

Member
Hi All.....Happy Valentine's Day 2020!

In my never ending search to find a technician who might be capable of resolving the problem with the electronic Volvo Penta controls....I had someone suggest that I convert to mechanical controls. I suppose that is an alternative however, as I am a person who looks for resolution, I would prefer to resolve the issue as it stands and preserve the boat as built.

I am open to comments regarding this. For those who missed all my posts over several years...I was unaware that my 2002 41 PC was built with mechanical controls and the upgrade was to electronic controls, which the original owners had installed at the factory. I am the 2nd owner of the boat and have owned it since Aug. 2004, but who is "counting"! So, the problem I am having with the SB TAMD74 P-B engine throwing itself into gear at idle & neutral is an issue with the electronic controlled Formulas, which I never knew until Jlazzfp informed me of such as he has the same boat as mine but with mechanical controls. It would appear that there are not many of these boats with electronic controls as I seem to be the only ever posting about this problem.

So, there have been numerous suggestions from several knowledgeable people on this forum and through that we sort of came to the conclusion that there is something amiss in the actual throttle....and I say throttle as this only happens with SB.

Frustrated in FLL,
Divergirl
 
I understand it's not ideal, but what is the cost of going mechanical, and knowing it's going to work? If I had a boat randomly shifting into gear at idle, I'd be ready to sink the thing. That's beyond dangerous.

Many old Wranglers shifted into 4x4 with a motor and vacuum line hoses. When they inevitable break, they are replaced with a manually shifting cable that works 100% of the time. Yes it's harder to shift, but it works.

I'm looking forward to computer shifting in my next boat, but if you can't find service from Volvo... might be time to move onto a solution that you know will work... For me? On a boat, reliability beats easy of use every time. It HAS to work.

(I'm assuming it's just running 2 cables from the transom to the helm).

I would price both options, but given that you've put "years" into fixing it... maybe the fix just isn't worth it...
 
Hi Divergirl,

As you know I have the same boat, only a 2003 with TAMD 75P all electronic, I have been aware of your problem as I read all of your posts over the years, my boat was not retrofitted it came all electronic. The controls were never altered and I never experienced the problems you have, so I think you problems stem from the controls not the transmissions, I know you are exploring this option and I believe you are on the right track. I am the second owner of my boat and have owned it for the past 8 years, it has 580 hours on the engines, I have cleaned the valve bodies and solenoids and can attest to the simple mechanics of the system. The electronic controls use tiny wire to carry the impulses to the transmissions, at first I was amazed that they used such small gauge wire, but upon inspection it only emits a small ( 4-5 ) volt pulse. I know you have had problems getting someone to understand and repair the problem and everyone seems to have an opinion, if were me I would have a competent electrician test the controls and the signal they put out at the transmission, this would pinpoint the problem or let you know to look else ware. I hope this helps you in some way get this problem behind you, the boat you own is a great vessel and you should be enjoying it.

Andrew
 
Hi Divergirl! I understand your frustrations very well. But I think all controls on the volvo TAMD74 engines are electronic. I believe that the only difference between your boat and mine are that the shifters are split from the throttles. They both work electronically by opening a solenoid on the transmissions. I would think about changing the control handles themselves. I know it’s expensive but it’s worth a try. Your situation is just dangerous. Another option is to join boatdiesel.com. For 25 bucks a year it’s a tremendous help. There may be others with the same issue. I don’t believe that you can make these transmissions function mechanically. The only other thing mentioned about this issue was the wiring harness recall. I believe that that was performed on your boat.
 
Thanks All....all very valuable information. And yes, this and has been a very serious issue. Perhaps overboard's advice to get a marine electrician to test the controls and signals from the controls is a good way to start, again...all over...I cannot count the attempts at a fix. And maybe this was not an upgrade. Not being a mechanic but, being a woman who has tried to educate myself through these years on anything & everything I can about my boat, the repairs, etc., I do not know why some of the 41 PCs would come with 2 throttles and some with 4...that puzzles me.

On another note...I have tried twice with emails to Formula Tech...just asking for electrical schematics for the throttle control system. One a month ago to Bryan Boehmer, with not even a read receipt...and then yesterday I forwarded that email to Scott Ransbottom and did get a read receipt but no reply. These guys used to be so responsive & helpful but not anymore...at least for me. Anyone else tried contacting them and had no response?
 
Divergirl said:
On another note...I have tried twice with emails to Formula Tech...just asking for electrical schematics for the throttle control system. One a month ago to Bryan Boehmer, with not even a read receipt...and then yesterday I forwarded that email to Scott Ransbottom and did get a read receipt but no reply. These guys used to be so responsive & helpful but not anymore...at least for me. Anyone else tried contacting them and had no response?
Click to expand...

Not sure about Brian but Scott R has been extremely helpful to me....same day response...usually within a few hours. I'm sure you will hear back from him the next business day.
 
Just for the record my controls are Volvo EDC, and in the Volvo engine manual it addresses how the throttles function, I don't have two sets only one that controls engaging the transmissions and applying throttle. I hope this helps.
 
Yes, I have two throttles as well. Thanks...I will pull out both binders which came with the boat and try to locate the engine manual.
 
An update: In trying to find a qualified tecnician to diagnose the SB engine problem, I think I might have found that person. After posting locally looking for a recommendation and, asking at the local BOW store, I was given two names. Both of them told me they do everything electronic but not anything to do with engines. They both said the Volvo Penta is proprietary and you need to be a partner and have the VP diagnostic tool to perform a possible disgnosis. Then, one of these guys said I think I know who can you and he is VP trained and a VP partner shop. So, yesterday I drove to Delray Beach, replete with the electronic control schematics which overboard was nice enough to point me to....I went ot Eagle Marine and talked with the owner, Martyn Kolleda for about an hour. He was able to go into the files about my boat at VP and see all te notes on every attempt to resolve this dilemma. He has a few scenarios regarding wiring from and to computer, etc. so, he will come to my boat tomorrow or Fri. Stay tuned fellow boaters!
 
Hello All. Just got back from the Atlantic City boat show. Stopped at the Volvo booth and started talking to one of the reps. Told him the issue I was having with the engines not engaging gear while at the dock and taking a long time to engage at times. He said that he believes the issue is with the wiring harness. He said there were 3 for each engine. One that’s attached to the engine itself, one extension harness and one from the shifters to the extension harness. He believes the one from the shifters to the extension harness might be bad. Says there’s probably a faulty connection somewhere. This is something to think about!
Divergirl, don’t know if this helps you bc we have different controls. Can’t hurt to ask your mechanic.
 
Hey you guys....Martyn Kolleda from Eagle Marine just came to my boat. First thing I learned is that the wiring harness is for mechanical only...NOT ELECTRONIC! He said that it will not harm the engine but is not doing anything regarding the issue I have. He did check to make sure it was done correctly and confirmed that it was. Then he showed me the email conversations he had with VP regarding my engine. OMG...in 2015 VP Issued a black box as part of this safety campaign...this black box stops the engine from engaging itself into gear and also (Jlazzfp) prevents the RPM fluctuations. Can you guys believe in all these years and certainly since 2015, not one technician knew about this black box nor did the VP rep helping me or these technicians. So, Martyn removed the breaker panels under the throttles and not only do I NOT have the black box, someone bypassed 3 wires in a connector which should have 6 and has 3. Will wonders never cease! Martyn is ordering the black box today and installing next week. What the...???
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top