960 shift lever engaging problem

David Whiteford · Post by **David Whiteford** » 04 Oct 2009, 19:22

I have a 97" 960. We really enjoy the car - 1st Volvo 168,000 mile. We have encountered a problem with shifting. After starting the car pushing the brake pedal down I am batting about 60% of the time being not able to engage the shift lever without pusing the little button on the below the lever. We took it to a Volvo dealer who replaced something he said was worn lots of $$$ - had to do with the lever. The prolem is back. Any ideas.

danr960 · Post by **danr960** » 05 Oct 2009, 09:49

It may be the PNP switch, it is a gear selected sensor, also controls the reverse lights. Has that ever been changed, the part is about $125 US, labor at the dealer maybe another $200? The switch is located near the exhaust down pipe on the transmission, it takes a lot of heat, which caused the grease to dry out and harden, then the electrical contacts don't move. Next time it happens, try rowing the gear selector thru the whole range of gears, do this about 20 -30 times, engine off of course.
If that cures it, then replace the switch, if you are handy, then clean and regrease the old switch.

If the switch has been recently replaced, it may just need to be adjusted.

DanR '94 964 343,000 miles (109,000 on the new engine)

Post by **billofdurham** » 05 Oct 2009, 12:23

There is a relay in the shiftlock circuit, located under the dash to the left of the steering column.

VADIS gives this instruction for fault tracing the shiftlock:

960 Shiftlock..pdf: (458.51 KiB) Downloaded 116 times

Bill.

David Whiteford · Post by **David Whiteford** » 06 Oct 2009, 18:35

Thanks for the reply gentlemen. I will look into the PNP item.