1992 240 gearshift won't work

Lindsay · Post by **Lindsay** » 03 Oct 2006, 07:58

My 240 will crank up, but when I try to put it into gear, the gearshift won't work. Tried to use the emergency button on the side of gearshift, but that wouldn't budge, either. Checked the fuses, and they looked fine. What gives? Anyone know?? Thanks for your help!

Post by **billofdurham** » 03 Oct 2006, 11:37

Can you move the lever with the ignition on and the foot brake depressed but without starting the engine?

Tried to use the emergency button on the side of gearshift, but that wouldn't budge, either.

The button on the side of the lever is for engaging/disengaging 4th gear. Do you mean the emergency release catch located under the brushes in the gear shift cover?

Bill.

Lindsay · Post by **Lindsay** » 04 Oct 2006, 13:19

I must have worded my problem incorrectly, but I think you got what I meant. Yes, I mean the emergency release catch behind the brushes in the gearshift cover. I did not mean the overdrive button (sorry, I sound like an idiot!).

I have not tried to shift gears without the engine being on, but the tow truck guy was able to get it into neutral after starting it (it stalled out very quickly, though).

I have it into the mechanic, and she thinks it's the relay. Not sure if she means the starter relay or fuel pump relay (I believe the starter relay has been replaced before). I will reply once I figure out the problem, but thank you for your help! Hopefully it's nothing more serious...

Kmaniac in California USA · Post by **Kmaniac in California USA** » 04 Oct 2006, 17:17

Does this car require you to depress the brake pedal before it will allow you to shift out of park? If this is the case, I have a theory as to the cause of your problem.

My father-in-law has a 1992 Ford Aerostar that locks the shifter in Park until you depress the brake pedal. When I borrowed this van last fall, he warned me that the shifter would stick in Park and that the work around was to shift the transmission into Neutral when the car was off, then start the car. He blamed this condition on it being an old car. I didn't think much about it until I had to back into a parking space in front of a convenience store on my way back to return the car. I discovered from the reflection in the window that the brake lights were not working. I immediately realized that the sticking shifter was caused by the disfunctional brake lights. I went to an auto parts store and bought a new brake light switch. Once installed, the brake lights worked again and the transmission shifted out of park when the brake pedal was depressed.

If your Volvo has a similar design, your problem may be a bad brake light switch. Let us know what you find and what you do.

Lindsay · Post by **Lindsay** » 06 Oct 2006, 09:35

My mechanic looked at the car and said it was the gearshift relay. She was able to use a used part, and it has solved some of the other problems I've noticed with the car, like hesitation when shifting into higher gears (especially when the ac is on). Thank you for your theories and ideas, though!

Lindsay · Post by **Lindsay** » 10 Oct 2006, 15:15

Just wanted to update you all that the problem has returned- usually only first thing in the a.m., and I believe you are right about the brake light switch. That is the next thing I will try to replace and see what happens.

Thanks, again!