89 240GL no reverse lights (need to hold AT shifter to work)

[Volvo_240_Atari_2600]

Hello,

Me again...

My 89 GL wagon w/ AT and OD has a problem somewhere in the gear shifter. Car is in Orlando, FL with 202k mi on it non-turbo and it is my daily driver.

When I place the car in reverse, the reverse lights will no longer come on unless I hold the shifter up a little rather than just leaving it in the locked reverse position.

The things in the shifter.
All gears P, R, N, D, 1 and 2 lock in place/gear as they are supposed to and the light corresponding to that gear on the left of the gear shifter will light up... ie: Drive and the D is illuminated

However as the gear shifter locks in place, it sits about a 1/4" lower then the illuminated marker.

Sometimes when I start the car, in P I have to apply a little pressure upwards as it won't start... That is leading me to believe that the Neutral Safety Switch may be going or loose, or something.

And of course... There is the fact that I cannot leave the shifter locked in R w/o applying a little pressure holding it about 1/4" upward in order to get reverse lights when I am backing out.

Anyone have an idea of what I should do?
Is there anything simple enough w/o having to take to the shop and done at home?

Thanks.
Eric
Orlando, Fl

[billofdurham]

First things to check are the bushings in the shift linkage.

There are three:
1. Attached to the bottom end of the push rod. That is the centre rod in the gear lever.

2 & 3. Are both under the car. There is a link rod from the bottom of the lever to the gear box. 2 is at the lever end of the rod and 3 is at the box end.

Any significant wear in these will cause problems.



Bushing 1 is numbered 7; Bushing 2 is numbered 40 and bushing 3 is numbered 45 on the diagram.

If they are OK then adjustments are possible.

Bill.

[Volvo_240_Atari_2600]

Bill,

Thanks again for the valuable information and blown up schematics.
Question though...

T get to all three of these bushings require dropping the gearbox for accessibility?

Or by opening the gearshift cover in the car easily accessible?
Any special tools needed for replacement/adjustment here?

Thank again.
Eric

[billofdurham]

#1 is at the bottom of the shift lever so you will need to remove the cover inside the car to access that one .

#2 & #3 are on the outside of the gearbox so are easy enough to get at. #2 is directly beneath the shift lever then follow the linkage to the box for #3. I would start with those two because to get to the other requires taking the lever out.

No special tools needed.

Bill.