Volvo control panel

[kthompson]

I have a EC 45 Volvo mini excavator that this summer the display in control panel is not always coming up properly when switched on. Have switched it off and back on and it will display different usually and may come up fully or not. But until it lights up properly the hyds that are safety control will not operate.

Had lunch with friend today who has a EC 35 doing the same thing. We both believe it is due to moisture in the control panel but mine is parked under shelter and his stays under trap. Any ideas on how to remove moisture from it, any idea if moisture in there could cause such issue. Any idea on replacement that does not cost $1700 which is what they are from Volvo?

 

[kthompson]

Well does anyone know anything about these control panels or have a suggestion on a site that might?

 

[Scooby074]

I suspect its the controller too.

But before id change it, id clean all the electrical connections with contact cleaner, followed with some dielectric grease.

Id also take the computer out and clean it with contact cleaner if possible. Plus id take it inside and maybe dry it out. Contact cleaner will drive out the water.

But i still think your going to end up changing it. Hopefully not though.

I cant think of an other replacement, besides a used one.

 

[kthompson]

I suspect its the controller too.

But before id change it, id clean all the electrical connections with contact cleaner, followed with some dielectric grease.

Id also take the computer out and clean it with contact cleaner if possible. Plus id take it inside and maybe dry it out. Contact cleaner will drive out the water.

But i still think your going to end up changing it. Hopefully not though.

I cant think of an other replacement, besides a used one.

Thank you very much.

 

[Scooby074]

Thank you very much.

Give the cleaning thing a try and post back,. Maybe someone else would have some more ideas. When i worked at the dealer, we'd could swap the computer out if necessary and see if that fixes things, unfortunately you dont have that option.

Good luck.

 

[MarkV]

Take this for what it is worth. If you think the computer itself is damp put it in a bag of uncooked rice for a few days. Sounds strange but my wife saved a cell phone that went through the washer and dryer that way. The phone had a fogged up display and erratic readings. After a week in the rice it has been working like new for a year. Found the idea on a computer search where others had similar results. Don't know why it would not work with the computer.

MarkV

 

[Scooby074]

Rice or an actual dessicant would work.

A trick i saw an old watchmaker do once was to put the item under his desklamp and leave it on for several hours. Gentle heat. Might work too.

 

[kthompson]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I pulled it out today and got surprised in many small ways. Heavy little bugger it was but it was so sealed I could not get it open unless I destroyed the case it is in. Seems they place it in a silicone case that is so thin it will tear to pieces as you would have to pry it off. I did get it open just a little and tried spraying some cleaner in it but don't think it made it. Right now am resolved to let it run until it really stops and then have nothing to lose. So far it does go to working correctly after the machine has run for a couple of minutes.

 

[kthompson]

As I hit submit a question came to my mind, do you have any idea if there is anything else that could cause the control panel display not to light up properly? Also a computer was mentioned, I think it might be in the control panel, does that make sense? It is about 3 inches by 4 by 2 or 3 deep. It does weigh my guess about 2 pounds. This is the same unit that has the display on top.

Again thank you all.

 

[Scooby074]

I cant say for sure as im unfamiliar with your exact machine, but likely theres more than just the display in that box but its hard to say.

Do you have a pic? It would help alot.

I wouldnt go prying too much unless you get to a point where you have to. Some of these circuit boards are sealed in epoxy (conformal coating) to seal out contaminants. You see this a lot in high vibration / exposed things. If yours has that, theres not alot you can do.

I had problems with water in a sensor on my Honda. It was completely sealed (but not encased in epoxy), so i took a very small drill (1/16"?) and drilled a hole. Then injected some contact cleaner and flushed it around a bit. I then sealed the little hole with epoxy. It worked pretty well.

Are you talking about the display with the fuel/hours and idiot lights on it, The instrument panel? Is yours an Open station machine? Does it have the smooth membrane switch pushbuttons?

 

[kthompson]

I cant say for sure as im unfamiliar with your exact machine, but likely theres more than just the display in that box but its hard to say.

Do you have a pic? It would help alot.


Are you talking about the display with the fuel/hours and idiot lights on it, The instrument panel? Is yours an Open station machine? Does it have the smooth membrane switch pushbuttons?

Do you mean a picture of the unit it self out in the open? If so no and unless I have to don't want to remove it again as it takes removing the cover of the right arm in cab. For me about an hour job to remove and replace.

Yes it is the display with the fuel/hours and idiot lights on it. Volvo calls it the control panel. It has a lot of wires running to it, did not count but has to be at least 20 if not 30. You select what you wish to have displayed of engine rpms, hyd pressure, hours (either total hours or job hours) and I think oil pressure and temp. It has low oil shut down and temp warning.

 

[Scooby074]

Yeah dont disassemble it for no reason.

If it acts up again, and you take it apart, snap some pics as it may help.

I was refering to the cab. If its open it can see more weather than a closed cab. So possible more likely to get water damage.

If theres water in there it could cause havoc. Those membrane switches could get water in there and cause all sorts of issues. Doesnt take much of a tear to let in water.

If your not going to use it for a bit. it might be worth your while to take the instrument pannel inside and either do the rice or desicant in a bag or put it under a desklamp trick and see if it improves.

Good luck. Electrical gremlins can be a real PITA.

 

[kthompson]

Yeah dont disassemble it for no reason.

If it acts up again, and you take it apart, snap some pics as it may help.

I was refering to the cab. If its open it can see more weather than a closed cab. So possible more likely to get water damage.

If theres water in there it could cause havoc. Those membrane switches could get water in there and cause all sorts of issues. Doesnt take much of a tear to let in water.

If your not going to use it for a bit. it might be worth your while to take the instrument pannel inside and either do the rice or desicant in a bag or put it under a desklamp trick and see if it improves.

Good luck. Electrical gremlins can be a real PITA.

I forgot to tell you it is open cab, sorry. One other point I have failed to mention. I bought that machine about 2 years back from Volvo with about 500 hours on it. They had just replaced the control panel then. It shows a tested date of 2006 on the control unit. If the machine was parked out in weather would more understand it but in the time frame I have had it even though cab unit it has been about 100% kept either under trap or shelter.

I really do appreciate you help. Thanks

 

[Scooby074]

No problem with the help. Wish i could give you a definite answer. Ive never really worked on the volvo compact excavators, so i cant say ive seen this exact thing before.

However,If the control unit was changed it has to make you wonder if its a known issue. Open cab could certainly cause more problems, but you say yours never sees the weather.

Stopping by the dealer might be helpful in finding out if this is a frequent problem, and what the usual fix is.

I still bet water, even if its not rain, humidity? Or perhaps the display isnt built as well as it should be. Changing it out at 500h really isnt performance and your having problems again.

I think id still try to take it apart as long as i could do it without destroying it and see if i could dry or clean it out.

 

[kthompson]

Even though there are quite a few Volvo machines in my part of the world the nearest shop is 100 or so miles away.

But I can try to contract the one it came from and they were helpful when I bought and probalby would be again.

Now what did I not think of that? Not age, nah..

Thanks Jason, Ken

 

[mr5453]

Hi Guys.
My Ec35c with canopy and Yanmar does the same.
It is wet or damp and gets worse over time...
Sometimes I wait 20 min for it to work with
the key turned on. JFL. Yesterday I had to put the
heat gun on it... I have more or less worn out my
arm rubbing it.
My EX35-2 is way older & works perfectly.

 

[mr5453]

I am also shy about buying a new one...
$1200.00 was best quote I got.