S-90 198

ssstretch · Post by **ssstretch** » 22 Dec 2009, 20:01

Just purchased a S-90.. and it is fantastic.. only 85,000 miles BUT
one weird thing.. the stick-shift cover keeps coming out of its socket and I can not change gears at all.. it won't move... unless I pick up the wood exterior and do it maually.. NOONE can figure it out.. we think it has something to do with the ignition.. because sometimes if you move the key around it moves the stick shift into gear... HELP . ANY CLUES???>?
ss

Post by **billofdurham** » 23 Dec 2009, 11:55

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

Congratulations on your purchase.

There are two interlocks on the gear change.
1. Key interlock which prevents the key being removed from the ignition switch unless the selector is in P.
2. Shiftlock override which prevents the shift lever moving from P unless the footbrake is applied. There is an emergency release button under the shift cover in the event of the override not operating.

it won't move... unless I pick up the wood exterior and do it maually..

By this do you mean you are having to release the shift lock by pressing the button under the cover?

First check would be fuse #21 in the passenger compartment fuse box but as this is only intermittent the fuse should be OK, unless it is not properly located.

we think it has something to do with the ignition.. because sometimes if you move the key around it moves the stick shift into gear

When this problem arises do you lose any other ignition controlled items, for example radio, heater, dash lights?

Bill.

ssstretch · Post by **ssstretch** » 23 Dec 2009, 16:29

thank you so much for your attention!

specifically, the problem is indeed intermittant, today so far it has only happened once in four starts. What I mean is in picking up the wood and gear shift cover to get to the metal gear shift, depressing the little black top of the metal stick, which releases the gear out of park, seems to get it going again. I apologize for my poor description of this odd problem.

If it is the fuse would the propblem be intermittant like this? also it appears that it could have something to do with the position of the key between the #1 and #3 position because if I jiggle the key slightly it sometimes releases the gear, but not always.

it appears the cosmetic covering of the gear shift and the area (the wood and leather) is very easy to lift up. Is this normal?

I am having a friend who knows much more about volvos look at it later today and perhaps he can be more specific in describing the problem. so far it is a mystery!

any more thoughts greatly appreciated!

sstretch

Post by **billofdurham** » 24 Dec 2009, 09:26

depressing the little black top of the metal stick,

This is the emergency release button when the shiftlock override doesn't work for whatever reason. As it is intermittent, a blown fuse is unlikely to be the problem but I have seen fuses cause problems when they haven't been properly seated in the holder.

On the description you have given I would suspect that the electrical portion of the ignition switch is wearing. It is a fairly common problem and the jiggling of the key tends to confirm this. That was why I asked if you lost any other ignition controlled items when the problem occurs as it would affect the likes of the radio.

The trim piece around the gear shift should not be loose.

Bill.