Challenging Transmission Problem...94 850

rodsob · Post by **rodsob** » 09 Nov 2003, 15:41

Here are the symptoms...
1. initially the car would not start. New battery and new starter put in.
2. still would not start. i checked the ignition switch by installing a known good one from another 850. still did not start.
3. at this point i had to resort to hot wiring the car to start it (like a thief)
4. next i started playing with the "J" relays above the fuse box. i.e. taking them out and putting them back in. miraculously, this allowed me to start the car. i'm happy.
5. on cold days or after the car sits for a day, it does not shift out to first gear. i can rev it up to 5000 on first. this scares me a little so i manually move the shifter to 3rd then back to "D". Miraculously, this fixes the shifting problem! the car shifts like a champ.
6. Unfortunately, after turning the car off. it won't start again. i have to resort to either hot wiring the starter OR removing the "J" relays and putting them back in again.

I strongly suspect the two issues (no start and no shift) are related as well as the "J" relays. I am getting frustrated with the problem. Is there anyone out there who has fixed this? help! all help and suggestions are welcome.

rodsob

steve · Post by **steve** » 09 Nov 2003, 19:16

Sounds like there may be an adjustment problem. The computer/engine is probably getting a false signal from the transmission that it is not in PARK, thus forbidding the engine from cranking.

Check linkage adjustment, and the park-neutral switch.

steve · Post by **steve** » 12 Nov 2003, 19:17

I seems to me that there would be such a neutral switch in the center console or somewhere on the transmission/linkage. The switch would prevent you from starting the car while not in park or neutral. I would consult a manual for it location/existence. I have had not experience with this problem on this particular vehicle, but have had exactly this same problem on a Vette. The Shift cable was out of adjustment causing the neutral park switch to function improperly and it also did not allow the key to be removed from the ignition switch. In your case it could be a faulty intermittant switch or only an adjustment may be needed.

Post by **matthew1** » 13 Nov 2003, 10:35

Steve's on the right track, sounds to me. Might be PNP switch:
http://www.volvospeed.com/Repair/pnpswitch.htm