240GL Cranks OK but wont start

[winwin]

Hi Great site for great cars. Any help with our problem would be greatly appreciated (I haven't find a 'database' answer...yet):

1. We just returned from the (Sierra) mountains in our '89 240GL (auto TM, 150K mi +/-) which ran fine all the way there and back (as usual), and has 3/4-tank of gas. Note: It's had regular service.

2. But 2-days later, it wouldn't (cold) start. It cranks strong, but wont start (in 'Park', with the EM brake off, like always).
Oddly, it later DID start, after we had, by chance, put it in 'Neutral'.
Seemingly more odd, it subsequently started OK in 'Park' too.

3. Is there any mechanical/electrical start-up 'lock-out' in the ignition or transmission shifter that we should be looking at as the ('orn-out/broken') problem? Or

4. Would this problem 'show-up' diagnostically by using the OBD?

Thanks,
Win

[billofdurham]

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

There is a neutral safety switch at the gear selector lever. This can go out of adjustment or it can fail.

240 inhibitor switch.pdf

(202.72 KiB) Downloaded 170 times

This would not show up on the OBD.

Bill.