Shift lever locked in park

I bought this 1994, 940 wagon a few years ago and have had several problems
with it(namely broken timing belts) that have been resolved. Yesterday
attempting to leave the Publix parking lot I could not get the shift lever
out of park. Finally by pushing hard on the button I managed to pull it out
of park. Each time it happens now I have to use the button that seems to be
placed there for that purpose. It is a hassle to have to do this. What can
I do to rectify this problem? Thanking you in advance for your advice.
Derek in Florida

 

This is an automatic? That button on the top of the shifter has to be
pushed to move the shift lever out of park. It's part of the design.
AFAIK there is nothing that can be done to change that. However, it
should only take a light press of the button to move the lever out of
park. I'd have the car examined by a mechanic to make sure that the
linkage is not damaged.

 

Thanks for your reply Tim. I didn't clarify the button I am speaking of. I
use the one at the top of the shifter constantly to get it out of park. The
button I refer to is the one at the base of the shifter cluster called
"shiftlock override." Yesterday was the first time I could not move the top
large button to ease the shifter into reverse and had to push in the
"override" button---not so easy to do as it had to be pushed in very hard to
get the shift lever to move, all this while pressing the brake with the
engine running.
Derek

 

How are your brake lights? Are they operating properly? There is a switch
on the brake pedal to sense that you are applying the brake before you shift
out of park. It releases the shift lock, but an override is available in
case this system fails. I don't recall if there is a separate switch, or if
the brake light switch serves both functions (it usually does). While other
components can fail (wiring, lock solenoid, etc.) the switch is the usual
failure point. Often it is just a matter of adjustment or a need to tighten
the switch mount.

I hope this helps.

Walt Kienzle

 

Thanks for your reply, Walt. I called a guy that had done work on my Volvo
in the past and he just happened to be in his shop. The first thing he
asked me was about my brake lights. I had my wife step on the brake while I
looked at the lights and they were on, meaning I suppose that another switch
was at fault..
The day before I had stopped in at a shop that works on mostly BMWs and
Mercedes. One of the mechanics went to the trouble to look this up on their
computer. He printed out four pages of instructions for replacing the micro
switch. After looking these instructions over and seeing how complicated
the job was I decided to wait til Tuesday and pay a professional to do the
job. The time alloted to this procedure on the tech sheet was 0.6 hr, which
to me seemed impossible as it looked like at least a two hour job for even a
pro.
Thanks again for taking the time to answer my qestion.

Derek Lawler

 

See ----> http://www.swedishbricks.net/700900FAQ/Transmission-Auto1.html#Transmission Not Shifting Out of Park

 

Thanks for the information Mr.V. I had intended to wait till my usual Volvo
shop is open on Tuesday and check with them to see what it might cost me to
have them replace the switch. If the price is too high I might go ahead and
take on the challenge with your forwarded instructions.

Regards, Derek Lawler