Loss of Propulsion - Control Lever Communications Failure

[Regal28-Boater]

Boat:
- 2017 Regal 28 Express with a single engine Volvo Penta 380.
- Throttle and stern drive are controlled by a side mounted control lever (part #23537457) equipped with a small diagnostic LED display as well as trim, neutral, + -, tow, cruise & assist buttons.
- This is a totally electronic (fly by wire) control lever - no mechanical linkages to the engine bay.

Issue: We were cruising along on-plane running around 4700 RPMs with the drive trim manually adjusted at 5%. As I approached a no-wake zone (75 yards away) I began to slowly throttle down, the engine stumbled slightly and ALL propulsion was lost.
- RPMs dropped to 1100 or so - basically idling.
- No beeping sounds or trouble indicators on the dash digital EVC readout either.
- Helm throttle (safety) bungee tether fully connected.
- All dash gauges showed normal temperature, oil pressure, etc readings. Turned the engine off, waited a bit and restarted the it - no change. The lever control’s trouble display showed an AMBER warning light but NOTHING on the dash EVC display.
- Pushing the throttle lever fully forward or in reverse never changed the RPMs - just sat idling. It was as if the boat thought the control level was in the neutral position. Boat had to be towed and of course worked just fine a day later.


A Volvo authorized tech has thoroughly gone over the entire boat - he could not replicate this issue and found NO diagnostic codes. He’s as stumped as me!


Does anyone know if my system has a firmware neutral fail safe IF it detects a loss of communications between the helm control lever electronics and the boats main system controller? This could turn out to be a pretty expensive repair if I blindly just start swapping out parts - control lever is $4k or so.


Grasping at straws here since it may be a randomly happening issue? This is my 1st season with the boat - before this issue I clocked in 12 or so operating hours without any problems!

Thx! John

 

[muc]

You didn't post a engine serial number or what version of EVC you have.
so just a blind guess, might want to ask what software the tech is using. Highly possible you may need a tech with the Volvo Penta "VODIA" scan tool.
Yes there are a number of "fly by wire" faults that will disable shifting and decrease RPMs. Sometimes these fault codes are stored in the EVC computer and are only accessible with the VODIA software, but I will usually see something on the boats EVC display. Might want to read the EVC owners manual and make sure you're pushing the right buttons.

 

[Regal28-Boater]

Thx - Both the Volvo Tech and I verified the boats EVC display was showing no codes. The engine's information is: Volvo Penta 380 C-EVC Serial #: A724228 Chassis ID: VPGAS064596

I'll verify with my Volvo Tech if he has access to the VODIA scan tool? If he does - what's he zeroing in on? I'm not familiar at all with this software?

BTW - Although my side mounted control doesn't have this feature (the dual levers do) it's was as if the no propulsion issue was the same as when lever's base was switched into Station Mode. Disabled and awaiting another helm station elsewhere on the boat to take over.... Just my impression.