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Old 28-02-2015, 19:25   #1
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Mystery md2030 volvo alarm

On reaching shore after a sail, I fired up our volvo md 2030, and as soon as I tried turned the key, an alarm sounded. It was a slightly different pitch to the main three alarms, pressure, temperature and battery, none of which were on.

We had to anchor, so I run the engine with the alarm on for a couple of minutes, then dropped the hook.

I checked the coolant and oil, both of which were a tiny low, which I topped up.

Every time I turn the key, this mystery 4th alarm sounds.

Any ideas?
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Old 28-02-2015, 19:41   #2
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Re: Mystery md2030 volvo alarm

Hum, if you have a sail drive, it might be the water leak sensor.
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Old 01-03-2015, 05:10   #3
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Re: Mystery md2030 volvo alarm

The Volvo saildrive does not have a water sensor or alarm for one.

The alarms on this engine panel should not be different pitches.

Do any of the lights come on with this alarm? If so, then pursue that avenue by checking the appropriate sensor operation.

It is possible the alarm test button is shorted - try disconnecting it and see if the alarm stops. Check its operation with an ohm meter.

It is also possible that one of the indicator sensors is bad - do you have actual gauges or just the dumb sensors? If the dumb sensors, you can check them on the engine with an ohm meter. The oil pressure sensor should be closed-circuit when engine is off and open-circuit when engine is running. The temp sensor should be opposite.

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Old 01-03-2015, 05:14   #4
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Re: Mystery md2030 volvo alarm

I had this issue a few years ago on a Volvo MD2020 (basically identical to the MD3030). Never did isolate it, but repaired/replaced sections of the wiring harness as part of another project and it went away. Also cleaned every connection in the harness as part of this project.

So, could be a wiring harness issue or a bad connection. PITA to isolate specifically, but relatively easy to inspect and clean all the sensor and wire harness connections. As an attempt to resolve it, I suggest: inspect and clean conections at the control panel (easy to do, they only go on one way, disconnect and clean any obvious corrosion, give a shot of contact cleaner, reconnect). Do the same on the sensor wires on the engine. Disconect and clean at the sensor and connections between sensor and entry point to main wiring harness (IIRC there are one or two plug connectors along that path). And where the wire harness enters the relay box. Test the sensors...a maginal sensor might cause this.

Yanmars have the integral sail drive water sensors. MD series Volvos I've run don't have them.
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Old 01-03-2015, 05:19   #5
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Re: Mystery md2030 volvo alarm

Quote:
Originally Posted by sailorchic34 View Post
Hum, if you have a sail drive, it might be the water leak sensor.
I don't have a saildrive
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Old 01-03-2015, 05:22   #6
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Re: Mystery md2030 volvo alarm

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The alarms on this engine panel should not be different pitches.

Do any of the lights come on with this alarm? If so, then pursue that avenue by checking the appropriate sensor operation.

It is possible the alarm test button is shorted - try disconnecting it and see if the alarm stops. Check its operation with an ohm meter.

It is also possible that one of the indicator sensors is bad - do you have actual gauges or just the dumb sensors? If the dumb sensors, you can check them on the engine with an ohm meter. The oil pressure sensor should be closed-circuit when engine is off and open-circuit when engine is running. The temp sensor should be opposite.

Mark
It's definitely a different pitch to the other three alarms. No lights are on, as soon as I turn the key it starts beeping (continuous). You can turn on the alarm test button and the "normal" alarms come on with their light. In fact, you get a nice harmony

I'll try looking at the sensors (I have gauges)
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Old 01-03-2015, 05:30   #7
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Re: Mystery md2030 volvo alarm

Another thought: is this happening when your batteries are fully charged or when wind/solar is active? If so, then it is the alternator shutting down and causing the charging alarm to go off. A PITA - I just disconnected that audible alarm and left the flashing warning light.

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Old 01-03-2015, 06:08   #8
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Re: Mystery md2030 volvo alarm

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Originally Posted by colemj View Post
Another thought: is this happening when your batteries are fully charged or when wind/solar is active? If so, then it is the alternator shutting down and causing the charging alarm to go off. A PITA - I just disconnected that audible alarm and left the flashing warning light.

Mark
It might be, though it's the first time it has happened when the batteries are fully charged.

There is not a warning light, as I mentioned, it's just an audible alarm, and it's a slightly different pitch to the temp, pressure and battery alarms.

It turns on as soon as I turn the key, i.e. before the engine is even running.
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Old 01-03-2015, 08:15   #9
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Re: Mystery md2030 volvo alarm

does the alarm go off after the engine starts, or stay on....
if no lights on with alarm, suggest isolate wiring going to the alarm one at a time to isolate problem
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Old 01-03-2015, 08:46   #10
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Re: Mystery md2030 volvo alarm

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does the alarm go off after the engine starts, or stay on....
if no lights on with alarm, suggest isolate wiring going to the alarm one at a time to isolate problem
it turns on when the key it turned (before starting the actual engine) and stays on when engine running.

No lights go on.
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Old 01-03-2015, 09:55   #11
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Re: Mystery md2030 volvo alarm

I have two 2030's and have had this same issue in the past,
Though on mine it was a fleeting beep and definitely different from the others. More high pitched and not as loud. It turned out to be a short in the ignition switch and I deduce it's different sound was a lesser voltage through the short. I haven't had the mysterious beep since changing out the switch.
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Old 01-03-2015, 10:04   #12
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Re: Mystery md2030 volvo alarm

yes, possible ign. switch, would also check neg. wire from alarm for possible short to ground...
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Old 01-03-2015, 10:15   #13
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Re: Mystery md2030 volvo alarm

Thanks, I'll look into that ignition switch!
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Old 01-03-2015, 21:20   #14
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Re: Mystery md2030 volvo alarm

I have a 1998 Dufour 35 Classic with an MD2020 and saildrive.
On occasions I get a low volume almost muted sounding alarm sound if the control panel has been wet. I do not have a key ignition, but the press button starter with a rubber boot and it seems to me that if a little water gets in behind the start button this must provide a short that sounds the alarm. (Until it dries out??)

Usually the "false"alarm sounds if I have hosed out the cockpit and some water splashes onto the control panel

I agree with the posters above that the likely cause is a short behind the starting key.

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Old 02-03-2015, 05:16   #15
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Re: Mystery md2030 volvo alarm

Thanks, I liberally sprayed with WD40 and left the hatch open, the beep seems to gone.

My 10 year old son also reminded me that the sailing was 29 knots and 10' swell and at one point we took 30 gallons into the cockpit. I forgot about that part
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