2008 V70 2.4D 'Shift to P to remove key' message.

110sb · Post by **110sb** » 16 Oct 2018, 02:49

Hi, first post and looking for some pointers as to the possible cause of this message that has popped up on the dash for the first time in ten years.

Yes, the first time. See, the car is a manual transmission not an automatic!

The key can be removed just fine. VIDA is showing no codes on the CEM. Where next?

Thank you in advance.

Post by **jimmy57** » 16 Oct 2018, 09:38

I'm at a disadvantage here since no US car of that line ever had a manual trans to have this message confusion. Has the car been in for service recently to a Volvo Dealer? I ask as the software might have been upgraded and the software has a fault.
Will you check to see if the cruise control works and that the starter only works to crank over engine if you depress clutch pedal? There is a clutch pedal switch and I am curious if it stuck or broken.
Does the warning chime sound when you open drover's door for the key being left in ignition even though it is removed from the slot on dash? The key/switch module on dash may have a fault where it is sensing a key in place or partly removed in error and the message may be wrong for the key/switch module detecting that issue. The key/switch module has a key sensor-switch in the back. That is the way it knows you pushed in on key to get it to release it. Maybe that switch is stuck or the one that senses the key is out is bad. On a car with auto trans that is a message you get when you try to remove the key from dash and it is not in park.

110sb · Post by **110sb** » 16 Oct 2018, 11:41

Hi, thank you for taking the time to reply.

The car has been in the family since new and we have never see this message before, and haven't been able to replicate it since. It has never had a change of transmission or ecm - it is totally standard. I do the servicing myself and can't remember the last time it went to a dealers other than to collect some replacement parts.

To answer your other questions, the cruise works just fine and the engine won't crank unless the clutch pedal is depressed.

Key in or out of the ignition, I've not heard a door chime in quite some time but the key engages and ejects just fine. I have scanned the car's systems today with my iCarSoft Vol II, no codes were showing on any module.

I think that I will have to resign myself to waiting for it to happen again.

110sb · Post by **110sb** » 05 Nov 2018, 05:43

Anyone any thoughts?

Xwalt · Post by **Xwalt** » 23 May 2019, 00:04

I have an automatic 3.2L I6 and it also showed this message despite me having the gear in P already.

I would suggest checking the battery on your car, the electronics on these vehicles seem to go chaotic when the voltage drops below a certain level. Perhaps a new battery is in order.

meehaneo · Post by **meehaneo** » 29 Nov 2025, 03:12

Did you ever get this resolved? I am getting the "Shift to P to remove key" about twice a week now on my 08 XC70 2.4D auto.
Have to start car, move shifter, then turn off, then try to eject key. Sometimes it takes a few tries.
I replaced the battery (it looked old!) and seemed to sort it, but then it came back. Tried using my 2nd key but same results.

There are no error codes.

Is there a specific sensor that tracks when the stick is in P (as opposed to generally where the stick is)? The orange light on the shifter lights up in P, the dash shows P too, and the gear selector seems to work just fine.

meehaneo · Post by **meehaneo** » 23 Apr 2026, 14:27

Thought I'd post an update on this from my experience. Bear in mind this is in Europe:
I'm getting the "shift to P to remove key" when the car is in P
Problem is the Gear Shift Module (GSM) module on the physical gear shift unit is failing. It communicates secondary information to the Transmission Control Module (TCM). The GSM starts to fail (probably bad solder joint or crack on the motherboard) but before the car registers it as "failed" it is sending bad messages to the TCM. As soon as I get "Gear shift module requires servicing" error the car has determined the GSM is bad and ignores any messages from it, so the key ejects without problem.

Solution is to either replace the GSM module (about $300) or just install a complete modern GSM module (for about $90 from a reputable breaker in Lithuania!)

meehaneo · Post by **meehaneo** » 06 Sep 2026, 11:12

Started a new thread here - I replaced the gear shifter, and the "shift to P to remove key" problem is gone, but the servicing module error is still there.
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