1998 V70XC won't shift out of park

[scot850]

When the button breaks it won't release to move the gearshift.

Looking at your picture, the shift release I think should rest on the little what looks like a lever by the #8 on the barcode above. I can't tell from the picture 100%. Try pressing down on that and see if it will allow you to shift into reverse.

Neil.

[rocky_mtn_man]

I would use the shift button if I had one, but I don't think it would have worked because the relay that is supposed to pull in the rod is not working and needs to be replaced. Upon some advice I received earlier, a suggestion was to remove the shifter assembly; I am stuck at the step where I need to unplug two wire blades from the cigarette socket (see picture). Once the shifter cover is out of the way, it will be easier to remove the keeper blade, as there isn't much room with the cover falling on my hands all the time. I have pulled the fuse for the cigarrete socket while I mess around with it.

If anyone has advice for which side of the two wire blades I should be depressing with a screwdriver, I would appreciate the help. I don't want to cut these wires!

[erikv11]

I can't really tell what's going on in your pic but this much I am certain of: you don't need to depress anything, for those lighter wires the connectors just slip off. Unless it has been modified.

[scot850]

The connector wire can be stiff on the lighter unit. I need to check as I pulled one a wood dash insert the other day so let me check. Worst case be careful (brittle plastic alert!), but in the first picture there is a black tab over the green lighter housing, and if I recall a 2nd one on the other side. @ small flat screwdrivers one under each side and the whole unit should come out.

Neil.

[chrafael]

You don't need to disconnect at the lighter. Unplug the two large white connectors aft of the shift mechanism and that part of the console should lift out. But you really need to verify the two previously mentioned items first or you may be creating unnecessary work for yourself. Remove the shift knob and press down on the rod by hand. It should move freely and unlock the shifter. Did you verify the solenoid by listening for a click, if not use a voltmeter and check for voltage at the green and black connector. That button you found snaps into the plastic shift trim plate and rests on a steel pin sticking out of the shift mechanism. You should be able to push it down with your finger to unlock it while the key is in the proper position.

[rocky_mtn_man]

Made some progress today. Was able to shift into neutral after starting and stepping on the brake. I removed the clip holding the solenoid, but don't know what to do next. Photos attached. I have to pick up a new trailer that had e-clip strips installed for cargo stabilization, so will be offline for a few hours. I live in Broomfield, Trailers Plus is in Aurora. It's a 24-foot car hauler trailer.

solenoid with clamp removed

[rocky_mtn_man]

I'm going to go out and spray the contact surfaces with Tri-flow 3M lubricant, wait a while, and then begin to wiggle it with channel locks.

[rocky_mtn_man]

I got the push button pulled free, it was easy to pull out. However, I can't insert that microswitch harness without pulling the shifter plate, and I can't figure out how to remove the steel plate. I can't post new pictures, but the plate appears in older posts to this thread. I have not heard back from anybody here yet.

[scot850]

I don't think I have ever seen so much muck down in the console area. How on earth does it get that way?

What do you consider the shifter plate? If you go back to the parts drawing in your first post, which part are you talking about?

The main shifter assembly looks like it is held in by 4 x 10mm hex bolts. No idea how to access the bottom side where it looks like it has nuts on it.

Neil.

[rocky_mtn_man]

The shifter shaft is held in place by a U-shaped plate. As I got the drive shaft freed up after removing the solenoid,
I was able to drive the car. But I can't do an emissions test because the driver's door won't open, nor will the window go down (both required for emissions testing in Colorado.