1997 850 NA - Issues getting car out of 'P'

[dejongmc]

Hello,

In the past few weeks I sometimes have problems to get the car out of 'P' after I start the engine. After I release the break and press the break again, I can hear a click near the shift stick and I am able to put in in 'D'.
The Check Engine light and ABS light also stay on after I started the car, but will go away after I release and press the break again.

What could this be?
Looks like something is going bad but I do not know what.

[scot850]

Sounds like your ignition switch is starting to fail. Had 2 go in different Volvos recently. The 98 V70XC would not allow you to move into drive without using the shift lock, and random warning lights would come on. It is not the whole ignition switch, but just the electrical portion. I believe there is a write up on how to install.

There are other possibilities, but I think this is the most likely. Anyone else?

Neil.

[MrGruffles]

I had a similar issue last year with my 1994 Turbo wagon: I frequently couldn’t shift out of Park unless I pressed the ‘Shiftlock Override’ button. It turned out to be a bad “automatic shift lock microswitch,” a common failure point on these cars. FCPEuro and IPD (item 112307) both stock it. (However my ‘check engine’ and ‘ ABS’ lights did not remain on other than the usual delayed turnoff during startup.)

[erikv11]

Those are by far and away the two main causes.

[Ben850]

Almost guaranteed to be the Shifter solenoids micro-switch.
Do a search for that. there are a few threads.
Find them on e-bay, or FCP maybe. The kit is around $30 for the micro-switch.

I've grabbed a few while at the yards. I had to do the sedan twice. It has a good one now.

The original thread that helped me with my Sedan.

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

Here is a thread with an older thread also linked within.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... ch#p282325

[cn90]

The microswitch: $2-$3 at Radio Shack.
The solenoid: spray some silicone lubricant, previous owner spilled some drink and the sticky stuff got down there.

Anyway, the fix was $2-$3 for me. I wrote an update here:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?t=44125

[BEJinFbk]

Don't write off the brake pedal switch...
It's part of the P-lock system, too.

[dejongmc]

I will look into the micro switch. That sounds the most logical to me.

I read all the posts but I still cannot figure out how to get to the micro switch.
Any help is welcome.

[BEJinFbk]

FYI - The ignition switch passes power through the brake light switch, to the microswitch, to the solenoid.
Any of those three switches may be the source of your problem. And some are harder to reach than others.

If you're having other power issues, I would consider putting the micro switch at the end of my list.
Just sayin'...

[Ben850]

FYI - The ignition switch passes power through the brake light switch, to the microswitch, to the solenoid.
Any of those three switches may be the source of you problem. And some are harder to reach than others.

If you're having other power issues, I would consider putting the micro switch at the end of my list.
Just sayin'...

If the brake lights work fine and there are no other anomalies related to the ignition switch, i.e. loss of power to accessories, and you do not hear a consistent click from the solenoid each time you step on the brake while in park, I would humbly point at the micro-switch/solenoid to be the issue. Did it twice.

This is a well documented failure with a repair kit being offered by FCP.

http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo-g ... 70-9466028

The ABS would be unrelated, and if you have the original ABS control unit in your '97 you WILL need it repaired/replaced. (contact matty moo. Midwest ABS on this site) The light may go on and off intermittently.

The service engine light goes off after about 2 minutes if you do not reset it with a scanner. It is a reminder.
If the check engine light is staying on, you need to read the code, fix the issue, and reset the light.