Shiftlock Release is stuck - Help

abullard · Post by **abullard** » 24 Jul 2007, 23:40

I have the same problem with the transmission handle release button not turning loose and locking the key in the ignition.
Mine is a humidity problem. It happens everytime I go to Florida, or we have an extended rainy period. I started carrying an extra key to be able to lock the doors.
I have learned that running the AC on high with the vent turned towards the release button usually solves the problem in a few minutes. Good Luck

dobriduh · Post by **dobriduh** » 08 Dec 2007, 23:08

I am wondering is there a way you can clean out the plastic button which stucks inside the shiftgear and causes this problem?

It seems that deep cleaning would help and also... what I am supposed to grease?? The button mechanism inside??

.. have no clue what causes this unpleasant shiftlock. Maybe humidity + spilled coke over years as someone stated here before...

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 09 Dec 2007, 07:10

You can take the center console cover off to get a good look at the mechanics of the button and whether or not it's gooped up inside: Screws to release the cover are inside the arm rest (pull up the little rubber or felt piece at the bottom of the arm rest) and then the console plastic slides apart (with a bit of force). 850's and S/V/XC70's are a bit different in construction but the idea is the same: http://volvospeed.com/Repair/SV70console.php

tripleb · Post by **tripleb** » 09 Dec 2007, 13:10

MadeInJapan wrote:
Cause of the button sticking: Cokes and grime spilt over years of ownership...at least that's been my experience. If you ever take the center console out you'd be surprised at what you'll find down there.

But anyway, glad you got it all working again.

Key is usually stuck becuse the actual plastic button
is broken not gummed up.
Cleaning it out is always nice but replacing the shift knob is usually the answer

You are both correct, but I think you're talking about two different buttons.

MIJ is talking about the shift-lock release button, and it does stick from debris that falls in there. I remove the button, clean it, and even lightly file the sides of the button to prevent this from happening.

And the shift knob button also sticks, and I also replace the knob for that problem.

3B
[/quote]

dobriduh · Post by **dobriduh** » 09 Dec 2007, 17:28

good point.. i realized that too (that we think about different buttons) when i opened the center console and figured out i cant access the button from there.

however, i successfully removed the sticky knob button from gearshifts stick upper and cleaned it thoroughtfully.

but... something really really weird happened.

all of the sudden a small string came out (probably behind the knob button) and i could not figure how to put it back to the mechanism. I started sweating and thinking how i am gonna get to my tomorrows final and a job interview.. not a nice feeling. Not to mention that I dropped the string several times into the opened console hole and cursed for about an hour while trying to pick it up under all those wires and stuff...

when i finally got the string back to my hands i could not put it back to the knob button's back...

well... i started experimenting and put it back without a little string and seems that gearshift shifts perfectly without it??

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 09 Dec 2007, 18:09

Never seen a string. You sure it's suppose to be there?

dobriduh · Post by **dobriduh** » 09 Dec 2007, 18:15

i am sure that the string popped out from the knob's button.

there is a place inside the knob where u can place it but its hard to put it all together back inside.

Weird!

maybe the string supposed to prevent the knob from speedy popping back and forth but over the time it slowed down the mechanism... have no clue

hope i am not gonna get stuck in the middle of nowhere tomorrow with the gearshift plucked and hangin' in my hand...

rrivera · Post by **rrivera** » 01 Sep 2008, 16:50

Hi,

Well my V70 had the same issue and I would just jiggle the gear shift button until it popped out and then the key would come out. This was fine until someone else used the car and now the key will not come out even after the gear shift button pops out.

I was wondering if there is some type of contact in the button that may have been broken that now doesn't allow the key to go all the way to 0. any suggestions will be appreciated.

RR

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 01 Sep 2008, 18:13

Try squirting some WD-40 in to the button area.

rrivera · Post by **rrivera** » 01 Sep 2008, 20:25

Yep. Tried that as the forum had suggested. The button itself doesn't seem to be stuck when I put the car in park now but the key still doesn't come out......

Shiftlock Release is stuck - Help

Ignition Key problem S-70, GLT, SE 2000