1997 Volvo Reverse lights, switch?

davolvo · Post by **davolvo** » 07 Dec 2014, 13:21

Hello, gosh when it rains it pours. My reverse lights do not work. The bulbs are fine, fuse is fine. Someone mentioned it could be a switch on the transmission or PRNDEL. Where would these switches be and are they easy to replaces. Please say they are.

Post by **cn90** » 07 Dec 2014, 15:02

Please search the infamous PNP switch DIY.

The bad news: it takes a long time to read through it.
The good news: it is a free fix.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 07 Dec 2014, 15:04

^^ +1

You can either replace the switch or take it apart and replace the contacts. As they continue to fail the inoperative reverse lights become the least of your problems.

...Lee

Post by **rspi** » 07 Dec 2014, 19:54

I had one that would not work unless it was in reverse just right. Have someone stand behind the car and slowly shift the car from P to N. Have them tell you if they ever come on.

davolvo · Post by **davolvo** » 08 Dec 2014, 06:26

Are there other problems that could arise when you say: As they continue to fail the inoperative reverse lights become the least of your problems.

Post by **cn90** » 08 Dec 2014, 06:44

Once you overhauled the PNP, it will easily last another 100K.

It is a long read, make sure you get paper pencil, make some notes. I did this (no reverse light) back in Nov 2012...2 years later everything works fine with the PNP.

There are 2 parts of the DIY:

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=29930

Post by **erikv11** » 08 Dec 2014, 07:23

It is always worth trying the quick band-aid for an aging PNP:

With the car not running, hold the button down and row the shifter back and forth through all positions several times rapidly, like 20-25 times. This will often inject a little life into a switch where the contacts are worn and the grease on them is dirty.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 08 Dec 2014, 07:38

davolvo wrote:Are there other problems that could arise when you say: As they continue to fail the inoperative reverse lights become the least of your problems.

There are two big problems that ultimately happen with a bad PNP switch.

First it that you will get the flashing up arrow and the transmission goes into limp mode where it is essentially stuck in third gear. It feels like you are dragging a safe around behind the car when you try to accelerate. Limp mode is very tough on the internals of the transmission.

The second problem that occurs is that the starter will not engage when you turn the key to position III.

...Lee

davolvo · Post by **davolvo** » 13 Dec 2014, 06:50

Oh dear, well my mechanic said he can fix the problem for $500 all the local garages are almost double that. Guess I will go with him. Thanks.

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 13 Dec 2014, 22:48

cn90 wrote: It is a long read...

I'll make it shorter next time.

OP, this is a fairly easy repair. Time consuming but easy. If you have even the most basic mechanical inclination I would recommend at least trying this first before paying $500 to have someone else do it.