1998 V70XC won't shift out of park

rocky_mtn_man · Post by **rocky_mtn_man** » 21 Jul 2023, 14:18

I took photos of the shifter cavity as I wasn't sure where the relay with pin was located.
It might be in the bottom of the photo entitled Right Front Shifter cavity. All the other relays
look like they just plug into a socket. There are four photos total.

I have been unable to shift out of park, the key turns fine, the shift button presses in, but
I cannot move the shifter back to the reverse position.

I am going out to the Volvo now to see if I can get that relay/transformer to move. There are
no power connections to any of these relays, unlike a Robert DIY video I watched.

These relays are difficult to remove; I think I would have to use vice grips as a screwdriver
did not help. Not much room to work with hand tools.

If anyone has a suggestion after seeing these photos, I would appreciate the advice.
I also attached a parts diagram that shows the relay with the push rod (#20). I don't see
anything like that.

Post by **scot850** » 21 Jul 2023, 15:42

Does it move to Reverse if you press the SHIFT LOCK button to the right of the gear shift lever?

Are you sure the shift button on the gear shift is not broken? Common fault with all P80's now they are over 20 years old.

Neil.

rocky_mtn_man · Post by **rocky_mtn_man** » 22 Jul 2023, 08:44

There is no shift lock button; the shift cavity does not have any loose parts and I didn't find anything in the shift cavity that looked like the actuator. There is a hole where the button used to be.

The gear shifter button does press in, but not all the way. The battery is dead so I will reply again when I have it charged, started, foot on brake, and see if it is still stuck.

Post by **scot850** » 22 Jul 2023, 16:10

There should be a shift lock button if you have a 1998 V70 XC and it should be on the RHS of the gear shift when it is in Park. Small black button you have to push down, while foot is on the brake peddle and key in Pos II. If that button does not move, then it is seized, likely as someone has spilt a drink down the sides.

Looking at your pictures, in the #3 picture there is a black object lying just above the bolt at the LHS of the picture. That looks like your missing button.

Neil.

rocky_mtn_man · Post by **rocky_mtn_man** » 22 Jul 2023, 16:29

I fully charged the battery, started the wagon, stepped on the brake, and with the shifter button fully depressed, I could not shift into reverse.
Next step was to have my partner (who owns this wagon) watch for the one brake light that used to work, and it didn't light up. A poor U-haul tow harness was installed, cutting and abandoning brake light wires to the center and right side. I will have to fix that once I figure out why the left brake light which used to work has died. I have a replacement brake light switch, but a bench test passed, so maybe the relay should be checked or replaced (see below).

Thanks for the tip on spotting the shift button. Is there linkage I'm missing to override the shift lock with the button?

I checked fuse 11, it was fine. The schematic page 129 I attached shows relay 106 should be checked. Schematic page 128 is a guide for further troubleshooting and fixing the brake light wiring that was incorrectly cut in the rear of the car when U-Haul did a fast job on the installation of the harness and tow bar.

rocky_mtn_man · Post by **rocky_mtn_man** » 25 Jul 2023, 16:14

The observation of the missing shifter button was correct. I picked it up with hemostats
and took two photos. There is no linkage for the button, and no parts diagrams showing what is missing.
The full make and model: 1998 Volvo V70XC 2.4l turbo.

I am going to start trying to figure out how to remove these black relays; I have not seen a YouTube video yet that looks like what I am working with. I will start on the RHS.

Post by **rspi** » 25 Jul 2023, 16:32

You should hear the shift lock solenoid click when you press on the brake.

rocky_mtn_man · Post by **rocky_mtn_man** » 25 Jul 2023, 17:06

This next attached photo shows a link bar from the back cube to the shifter bar. The cube at the top looks like it has a tab for removal;
the left side of this cube is covered by a black plate. My starting place...

Post by **chrafael** » 25 Jul 2023, 18:15

They are both right. The shift knob button will gum up, so verify that pushing the button actually moves the cross shaft (number 3 on your diagram). Then listen for the solenoid (number 20) to click with key on, brake pedal depressed. If no click then unplug its connector (black and green wires) and check for twelve volts under the same conditions. That eliminates electrical problems on the car side of the plug. I don't know of any relays down there, but I have a FWD car. You may find it easier to remove the whole shifter than try to fix it in place.

Post by **wizechatmgr** » 27 Jul 2023, 02:44

Also, check the kidney fuse box, make sure you didn't blow one of the main fuses. That's the kind of fuse I'd expect to be blown for that many relays to stop working. Other idea would be ignition switch but not likely as she's firing up from the sounds. Are there any other electrical gremlins other than the rear lights? Any other dash lights lit, radio not turning on, etc? When you turn the headlights on, do you get the burnt out bulb indicator illuminated/on?

Also, if the button on the shifter that you press to move it normally (not the override) isn't moving correctly, she won't move into gear as she won't release. I believe there is a cable linkage for that which goes back to the ignition, but don't quote me on it. Usually people have the opposite problem where they can't get the key out due to that little button getting playful, but there is nothing saying it couldn't fail in this direction instead I would gather.