1993 Volvo 240 shift interlock? Yellow thingy

profrap · Post by **profrap** » 19 Jul 2016, 21:22

We have a 1993 Volvo 240 automatic which seems to be in good shape overall -- passed inspection and emissions, safety and all.

The problem is in the shifter. For starters, you can't get out of Park without pushing on this little yellow thingy at the bottom of the shifter. It often takes several attempts, pushing the yellow thingy to the left and the shift stick to the right, to be able to get it out of park and into gear.

Until recently, that was the only problem, although at times it was hard to get the shifter into Drive -- often it would be in 2nd gear, and you'd have to go back and forth a bit to actually have it in drive. But now there are times when it seems that 2nd is the only gear available, and there's no way to find the lost Drive position. The transmission itself seems ok -- the car runs great on the highway once you *do* get it into drive! -- but lately this has meant going back and forth, back and forth, on surface streets, desperately trying to find Drive, then hitting the highway once you do.

Does anyone have any insight into this? Our regular mechanics don't deal with transmission issues, but the transmission shops often seem to be out to gobble one's money rather than to really fix anything. Is there an easy fix? This is my daughter's car and I hope to find a way to make it drivable.

RP

93Regina · Post by **93Regina** » 20 Jul 2016, 20:44

profrap wrote:1993 Volvo 240 automatic,,,,,The problem is in the shifter.

Automatic trans shifter lock...woun't unlock occasionally

oilguzzlingmonkey · Post by **oilguzzlingmonkey** » 03 Aug 2016, 14:15

The drive position problem is probably shifter linkage bushings that are missing or damaged. This is a very common problem on this car. The linkage has too much "play" or "slop". Replacing them will get you positive shift points across all positions and restore your control of the transmission. IPD has them for cheap and they are relatively easy to replace. YouTube has a couple of videos that will guide you through the process.

soggydonkey · Post by **soggydonkey** » 03 Sep 2016, 05:05

Profrap,

Were you able to solve this problem? I, too, have a '93 with the same issue. To make matters worse, the shift-interlock button on the shifter cover is broken, so I have to drive it w/out the cover, and reach down and move that little plastic interlock-ignition-wire doohicky by hand. It works (I can get it out of park), but is a pretty inelegant solution.

All the other people who've posted about this have a '92 or newer, which isn't quite the same. Solenoid? Gut-snipping? Arg.

--Chandler

gbm97 · Post by **gbm97** » 03 Sep 2016, 19:53

Do not take my advice and do it but I disconnected the 'yellow thingy' because I had the same troubles as you and left it for to long.
It eventually stayed in Park with no more yellow thingy to twist turn and pull because it broke right off.