Volvo 240 sedan Automatic Starts in every Gear??

[Sutek42]

Hi, people.. My girlfriend had a so so mechanic repair this car for not starting. I don't know what he did? I found a plug disconnected from the nuetral safety assm'y on right side of shifter. I pluged it in on drivers side on left side of console. Same problem so I replaced assm'y and repluged in both wires. I do have reverse lights, and mechanically shifts and works in every gear. Did he disable this safety feature to get the car to start. wow dangerous, any help appreciated...

[LaRy]

This switch has two separate contacts, one for the reverse light and one for the safety feature. Four wires should be connected and connection between the bl-y and blue will allow the start engine to be engaged.

[Sutek42]

Thanks for the reply. Both sets of wires are connected securely behind drivers side panel. Still starts in every gear. Any Idea where those wires go? Thanks Steve

[LaRy]

The blue wire is coming from the ignition switch and the blue -yellow is going to the starter. If it is not an automatic, those wires are connected together under the hood somwhere. If the car is automatic, the wire make a loop into this shifter switch. My guess is that the mecanical guy has put a jumper between those. Just follow the bl-y wire from the starter, it should go straight into the shifter without any by-pass connection. The colours I am talking about is valid from 1986 and forward.

[Sutek42]

Thanks so much, thats what he probably did, for a quick fix, when the car wouldn't start. It is an automatic, do you have any clue as to why he might do this?
Thanks Steve

[LaRy]

Hard to say the reason for this jumper connection. Maybe the condition of the shifter switch is not reliable, sometimes it is working and sometimes not. After several years it is rather common that the position of the switch is incorrect compared to position P and N, causing problems.

[Sutek42]

thanks so much