2001 V70 Gearshift Lever Won't Move

Exkodaker · Post by **Exkodaker** » 16 Sep 2022, 05:52

Last night when my son was going home, the car started normally but the gear shift lever would not move. Like you have not depressed the brake pedal. My son called later, after I let him use another car that this is not the first time that has happened, It happened to may daughter and she said the brakes were stiff afterwards. I don't know if this is connected or just coincidental. This is on a 2001 V70 T5.

Thanks
Blair

Post by **chrism** » 16 Sep 2022, 08:27

What happens if you pump the brake pedal several times in rapid succession and then hold it down and try to pull the lever out of Park?
Can you feel a clicking inside the shifter each time you depress the brake pedal?
I've had the same issue and it helped to clean out the locking mechanism in the shifter. In my case the problem seemed to be worse in hot weather.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 16 Sep 2022, 08:35

Exkodaker wrote: ↑16 Sep 2022, 05:52 Last night when my son was going home, the car started normally but the gear shift lever would not move. Like you have not depressed the brake pedal. My son called later, after I let him use another car that this is not the first time that has happened, It happened to may daughter and she said the brakes were stiff afterwards. I don't know if this is connected or just coincidental. This is on a 2001 V70 T5.

Thanks
Blair

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I think there is provision to unlock the shifter by inserting the key into a slot in the shift console? If you can do this try starting it in neutral. If it can start then you have to find what is causing it whether mechanical or electrical. Just don't put it into park until you reach your destination

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motormikeyman · Post by **motormikeyman** » 20 Sep 2022, 10:53

I had the same problem, it turned out that the release mechanism inside the shift knob was broken. Sometimes it would work, sometimes it would not. My wife called it "the worst getaway car ever". The shift knob is easy to replace, just grab it and smack your wrist with your other hand upward. It will pop off. Get a replacement first from a junkyard or ebay then pop it back on.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/175415202745?c ... gL1zPD_BwE

The "stiff brakes" is possibly the vacuum pump or switch.

Post by **br0dy519** » 20 Sep 2022, 19:04

I would echo the solenoid check. When you depress the brake pedal you should feel it click. Isn’t a common failure with a small plastic gear tooth inside the shifter boot? If you get no click make sure your brake lights are activating and the solenoid is clean. Lots of coffee spills in that area!

Post by **abscate** » 21 Sep 2022, 01:48

Nice to hear from old places in my life. Letchworth SP was many happy visits as a kid. I slowly made my way east in NY over life , now in Suffolk

Exkodaker · Post by **Exkodaker** » 26 Sep 2022, 08:51

Thank You everybody for your replies. I got super busy and forgot to reply. I called my mechanic and got some quick suggestions and it turned out that the shift lever knob had failed, I had replaced the knob from another car that had died. When I pulled the knob the attached rod stayed in the lever post. Went to a scrap yard and got a new knob and replaced. All good. Along the way I did check the operation of the solenoid and brake switch. That portion of the car is functioning well now. Again thank you all.