PNP 9466012 Alignment: The How-to without using the alignment tool.

[LamboSE5]

Hey guys, terrible news...

So last night after I posted that I couldn't get the PNP switch off that center bolt/post I decided to put things back together before it got dark, cause my windows were down and stuff.
I put everything back in place and started the car, everything seemed fine so I drove to the end of the cul-de-sac (road), maybe 20-30 yards and back, then parked it.

I decided to cycle through the gear positions before I turned it off for the night, but when I got to either "3" or "L" things went wrong. I started to get the orange "flashing up arrow", and flashing in unison were the "winter" and "economy" mode lights - back and forth.
I cried, parked it, and went to bed.

I tried to post about this last night but this site has not been working (other sites have been working fine), and I'm completely lost now.
(Today, wednesday Aug, 23) - I took everything apart again after re-reading the bay 13 and Polska's thread, and seeing the words pry... I got to the last step ie: removal, and the PNP switch will not come up off that center bolt/post. It will only rotate around it left and right.

My only problem before attempting to remove the PNP switch was lack of back-up/reverse lights. NOW, I'm completely fff..I don't know what to do.
Does anybody have any ideas? I can't believe no one else had trouble getting this out - of course I'd be the one. hah *sigh*

EDIT: update - people were right; just put something under it for leverage and sort of lift/pry/pull it up and out. Thanks.

[polskamafia mjl]

We've all been there. My car tried to run me over when I was doing this repair. I don't know what to say. Stick something under there for leverage and pry/pull up on it until it come out. Worst comes to worst, you'll need a new PNP switch.

[LamboSE5]

So, I've got my PNP switch out, cleaned and put back in.

Can someone, please, explain the alignment process a little better. Seeing as alignment has to be correct within "3 millimeters", this should be the most important part of this repair?
I can't just keep taking everything apart, then adjusting something by a millimeter and hoping it's right -- only to put everything back together and still have the flashing up arrow & mode lights over and over.

I marked everything before I took it apart and that didn't seem to help.
Maybe if MadeInJapan could elaborate on his method -- as far as how you'd need the battery hooked up yet the battery is on top of the PNP switch area. did you just hook up the terminals and have the battery to the side.
This "reverse lights" method seems like it would be the only way to know if you'd succeeded before you put everything back together.
Also I could use a clearer explanation of the correct position of the "shift rod" (that sticks up through the PNP switch) and the correct position of the "gear shift selector" -- in relation to each other as well.

If I have it aligned correct and I start the car - should the flashing lights stop immediately/after I drive over 15-20 kmh ?? Or no??
I guess what I need is a step by step for the alignment alone (lots of steps, I'm a newb). Much like the awsome write up done by Polksa.

Please, Help me out when you have the time.

Much Thanks!

[MadeInJapan]

I agree- the reverse light is about the only way to make sure...set the battery where it will go without tightening everything up... I should only start in P or N. Then clear your codes and off you go- see how things are. If shifting into lower gears also achieves the lower gears, you should be all set. If you're doing this alone, use a mirror for the back-up lights. I changed my son's out a few months ago and didn't have to mark it- just used the R gear to make sure the light came on and it started in P and was in P when I put the gear shift there and that worked fine!

[LamboSE5]

Yes - the battery being hooked up is key. When I had it hooked up I got in the car and noticed that the flashing lights (modes and up arrow) had stopped at one point during alignment. The reverse lights were also on, and that's when I "knew"/thought it was in the right place.
And it was.

Although, you know - I don't think I've tried putting it in 3, or L yet! Or did I....
Gone to check it out.

Peace!

[RegisWhite]

What a great set of posts! I'm in this boat now, more or less, and could use a bit of advice and/or tea and sympathy...

It sounds like removing and cleaning the PNP is a viable alternative--at least a good first step--before shelling out for a new one; does anyone have any helpful specifics about how, exactly, to clean it? What to take apart, what to grease, what to spray with contact cleaner, and so forth?

And also, you know--how not to BREAK ANYTHING trying to get the thing out! It seems to be crammed down in there like it means business, you know?

If that doesn't work, then how about for a replacement--is one better off buying a used OEM part (I mean, that sounds kind of shaky, since how do you know THAT one won't fail in two days?), a less expensive Scan-Tech replacement, or do you need to go all the way and buy a brand new Volvo part?

Is this even something that a green-horn should *attempt*? I guess that would be a good first question to ask, eh? I'm concerned that I'm at that, "Knows just enough to be a danger to himself and others" point, right now!

Thanks to all...

[FlyingVolvo]

Getting a critical part like that from Scan-tech ensures that you'll be repeating the repair probably within months.

[RegisWhite]

Well, it's not like it's something I want to practice repeatedly... I'm hoping for some advice about cleaning it, here; if that doesn't take, is there no acceptable option but to buy a new OEM part? Like I said before, there is a place I know that *is* selling used PNPs, but that could be a crapshoot, too, huh?

Thanks...

[LamboSE5]

From one 'newb' to another, Regis. I personally wouldn't skimp on this particular part. If you're replacing it, just get a new genuine volvo part.

Now,
I did this cleaning/fix a few months ago. And it worked fine....

A week or so ago I had a hole in my exhaust, not something I wanted to deal with. So I took it to my local "import" garage.
They fixed the exhaust hole, and robbed me for that (hah). But when I got in the car, my 'up arrow' was on. I walked back in and said "hey, what's up with that?" He said it'd go away (what?) and, the car was still hitting 1st and 2nd gear as far as I know - It was working, and the light DID go away after a while (day or so I think).

Yada yada yada, then I go to drive to work a few days ago and right after I put it in drive - boom. Flashing lights, and no pull. She is not in gear. So I go inside and think, then I run out and start it up and try again, this time it works - but the lights are still on.

blah blah, anyway I try and fix it, again. I remove all that crap and start rotating the switch, you know the drill. And I get it working. Though somehow I think I got it working with the shaft in Neutral and the shifter in Reverse, but when I get in the car..the shifter is in Neutral, weird.
So I'm happy as...I'm real happy. I go for a quick drive, maybe 10 or 15 minutes. I go inside and get showered and changed. When I come out to my fixed car, I start it up and put it in drive and boom - flashing lights again, and definitely NOT in gear (1 or 2). I try, Low gear - nope, I try 3 - it's 3, I think, no pull. Then I try reverse (which always works), and then back to drive, now drive works... Then I'm confused and I try reverse again, then drive. Now Drive is not working, for sure. The car will not easily go cause it's out of the correct gear.

Do I need a new PNP switch?

[cambiecbc]

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 1&start=14

I got same problems as not to sit either D,R or N not in the correct location if the location fixing the shifter rod moving to different places. If the position was closer to the car window , the reverse light worked but couldn't stick the N position.

As the post above, I will go to buy electronic cleaner and dielectric compund to clean my old switch to try again.