Transmission issue


J

jlazzfp

Member
Hello all. This afternoon we took a nice cruise. Everything was fine. After lunch I started the boat and all seemed ok. After untying the boat I put the port engine into foward and NOTHING.. Reverse worked. Starboard engine ok. Turned the engines off and restarted them. All ok!! Any ideas. Ps. I didn't have a chance to check the oil levels but they were just changed and see no sign of leaks. Thanks.
 
What boat? Engines? Tranny or out drives? More info. Are u sure the engine was actually started when you had the issue ( did you see the rpms up) I have thought an engine was running and looked at rpm and noticed it wasn't. Give us some back round info.
 
I'm sorry. I forgot to post info. 2002 41pc with Volvo diesel inboards. They are the zf transmissions. It had to be running because it had reverse gear. Thanks again.
 
My mechanic thinks he found the problem. The solenoid on the transmission that controls the forward shifting. I hope it works. It's a cheap fix compared to replacing the tranny!!
 
My friend had the clip that holds the drive cable pop off while docking at out marina on his 05 34 PC. It has the volvos with the out drives. He was stuck in forward while spinning the boat and ended up shutting down both engines because it wouldn't come out of gear and wouldn't stop. The wind caught him and he ended up between the noses of 2 boats next to him. Luckily there was like 20 of us on the dock and we all pulled him around and into his slip. It was starting in gear and lurching forward. They replaced the clip and that was it.
 
So the mechanic puts in the new sending unit and solenoid. IT DOESN'T work. We switched the wiring to
the reverse solenoid and the wiring worked fine. So the problem is still the solenoid. Did I get a bad replacement part? We took pieces off the old one and the new one and made a new solenoid part it seems to be working!! I will try it today when I take the boat out. Cross your fingers..
 
Update. Still not shifting into forward gear. New part or not. Electrical ? Throw the shift lever and the EDC neutral light doesn't turn off as it does when it goes into gear. I have a ZF transmission specialist coming this week.
 
Had the same problem again with my friends boat. I was along for the ride this time and we had to get roped in. Glad there were a lot of people there and we had a bow thruster. It was windy. Not sure if this will help you but....
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It's a really easy test to see if it's the switch. Simple meter to check it. The actual shift lever is off to the side of it as seen in the pic. Check if it's jammed or if there is some jacked wiring on the switch first.
 
Thanks Clueless. Here's an update. He says its not the switch. How I don't know. After replacing the solenoid no help. He replaced the pressure bearing which he said had a broken ring. Seemed to fix the issue temporarily. After I let the boat sit 30 minutes same thing happened!!! He told me he was 90 % sure this was the issue. 200 bucks for the part and over 1000 dollars for labor no help... He's coming again today. He says that if this doesn't work he will have to pull the tranny. Let's see what happens today.. UGH
 
No way for a second opinion?? The boat would have to be hauled to pull it unless you anchor the shaft. The real problem is that it hits the wall usually and is hard to get I and out because the shaft is on an angle. It has to be tilted to be on the same angle as the shaft, then pulled up. It's a major PIA, and it ain't light. I have the rest of the manuals on my iPad if u need it. Sounds like ur guy is guessing.
 
Update. He came again and cleaned the block on top of the transmission where both solenoid sit and took out the pressure bearing again blew compressed air through it and snaked it out. Seems to be working well now. We have a trip this weekend. Hold on to your horses. I don't have a bow thruster!! Fingers crossed again!! Thanks for all the insight clueless. There is another thread in the PC area. Seems like someone else has a similar problem.
 
Good luck with it! I'm trapped I Puerto Rico until next week. A friend just got a 30' Grady with twin outboards that we will check out tomorrow. Bow thrusters are over rated, just keep an emergency line at the helm stuck in the bolster seat. It's all good.
 
Hey jlazzfb.....sounds like we have the same boat and same engines.....are yours 480 hp? I am going to reach out to Volvo America to see if there were any recalls as there were with the SB engine. I was never notified because the yacht broker never transferred the engines into my name from the original owners however. Volvo America stepped to the plate and sent a Volvo diesel mechanic who resolved that problem whic was the engine engaging into gear in neutral. I will contact the woman I dealt with 1 year ago and let you know what she says.
 
Hi divergirl. Yes they are 480 hp. The issue with engines staring in gear had to do with a wiring harness that was changed in recall. This issue had to do with broken rings in the pressure sending unit on the back of the transmission. I seems like a piece of the ring came off and may have gotten lodged in the transmission. He never found the piece but cleaned it all out and seems to function correctly now. Fingers crossed again.
 
I sent an email to Volvo Penta and the woman I dealt with for the SB safety recall issue is no longer with them however, a guy named Felipe did answer and is going to look into any port issues to see if I missed any recalls similar to the SB. I will keep you posted. Have you found out anything further?
 
Just saw your post above my reply. Wow, ok, sounds like a resolution and I will bring that up to my boat guy....fingers & toes crossed!

I will let you know if Volvo America gets back to me with anything, anyway.
 
Hey...the Volvo guy did get back to me and said there were no safety recall issues with port engine or tranny. How is you issue going....did the cleaning resolve the issue...is everything still running fine and back to normal....if one can use that word regarding a boat!

Divergirl
 
Yes thanks Divergirl. It did sole the problem for now!!! He didn't really find the "problem". But seems to be back to normal!! Will keep you updated. What's your trans issue??
 
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