'99 S70 PNP Switch Bad Won't Align?

[bmdubya1198]

We just changed the PNP switch on my cousin's '99 S70 the other day, and now it's not shifting quite right. First off, the shifter is very hard. Each gear engages fine, it's just a lot tighter than I think it should be.
When the car is in drive, it will either shift fine or get stuck in first. When this happens, if you row the shifter back and forth a few times, it fixes it, but obviously that's not always convenient.
I tried my best to position the new switch exactly like the old one, and I didn't align it right when I put it in. However the other day, we tried to properly align it using MIJ's method, but through the switch's whole range of movement, the reverse lights do not turn off. So I just tightened it down in the middle.
And yes, the reverse lights work fine.
I also checked the alignment of the stud to try and align it like in this thread: viewtopic.php?t=29921 but the stud was already aligned while in the neutral position.
So are we doing something wrong here or was the switch just DOA? It's a ProParts switch from FCP, not OEM.

[scot850]

I would suggest 'Pro-Parts' may say it all. I'd rather try a used OE part than use anything made by them.

Neil.

[bmdubya1198]

I would suggest 'Pro-Parts' may say it all. I'd rather try a used OE part than use anything made by them.

Neil.

That's what I was thinking after I first saw the part. I suggested we pick one up at the junkyard as a next step here, but obviously I want to try to get this one working first.
It had good reviews, so he figured why not. Good thing it can be returned if it turns out to be the problem.

[precopster]

Did you overtighten the large but on top? If you did that explains the tightness. It can easily be broken by over tightening which would explain having reverse lights on at all times.

If it can be switched over easily by inserting a large screwdriver through the hole and twisting then the PNP is fine. The main nut should be fingertight plus a little more then lock it up with the cage fitting.

[scot850]

That is the problem with Pro-Parts stuff is sometimes they work ok and often not. As I prefer to do a job once over I pony up for the OE or the used OE option.

I wish you luck! Not sure what you can do about the stiffness. Could be the cable is dry or has a loose strand which acts as a brake. It should have a smooth action. If you remove it from the transmission does it move smoothly using the gearshift?

Neil.

[bmdubya1198]

Did you overtighten the large but on top? If you did that explains the tightness. It can easily be broken by over tightening which would explain having reverse lights on at all times.

If it can be switched over easily by inserting a large screwdriver through the hole and twisting then the PNP is fine. The main nut should be fingertight plus a little more then lock it up with the cage fitting.

Interesting. I tightened the crap out of that main nut and a small washer popped off of it, which probably explains everything. I didn't think that would have caused an issue.
I need to stop over tightening things...

[bmdubya1198]

That is the problem with Pro-Parts stuff is sometimes they work ok and often not. As I prefer to do a job once over I pony up for the OE or the used OE option.

I wish you luck! Not sure what you can do about the stiffness. Could be the cable is dry or has a loose strand which acts as a brake. It should have a smooth action. If you remove it from the transmission does it move smoothly using the gearshift?

Neil.

I haven't tried it disconnected. I'm thinking it's overtightened...

[precopster]

You've probably broken it. They don't take kindly to a torqued down top nut. It's a plastic cage you're pressing on with the nut.

[scot850]

A good lesson for us all Mike, and thanks for sharing!

Neil.

[abscate]

I came clean to FCP when I gorilla-d my crankcase valve on the Bimmer and they sent me a Refund even though I'd bought OEM locally to get car back on the road.

Have to say they get all my planned business after that.