I've ran into a problem with the shifter not being able to shift out of park without pressing the shift lock button and shifting at the same time. What's wrong?

 

There is a micro switch that needs to be replaced in the console. I had to do it to mine a while back. It's relatively cheap and fairly easy to do. Hard to see what you doing though. Here's a link to directions on volvospeed.com:

http://www.volvospeed.com/volvo_performance.php

I believe these directions are for an 850 so yours might be a little different.

 

The only real difference is the looks of the center sonsole.

 

cool...i've taken the console out before to change the shifter bulb, so this should be relatively easy. Plus i've looked up the part and it's no more than $15? is this a part i should get from dealer?

off topic..what is the light on my dash next to the time and temp? looks like a snowflake looking thing..noticed it turned on to amber color for a couple mins then off?

 

I would get the part from the dealer for sure. I doubt if you can get anyplace else. The snowflake probably is telling you it's cold outside. Comes on between 22 and 36. I don't understand the significance of those numbers. I guess 36 is saying it's cold and there might be icey spots and at 22 you should be smart enough to know it's cold.

 

I am bringing this old thread of mine because..we'll, I've never replaced this microswitch. Just been living with because sometimes it does work normally. Which brings me to my question. Because it works sometimes, could the problem be the brake pedal switch that I've been reading about on forums?

 

Usually not the Micro switch can and will work only when it wants to.

At one time there was a recall on the 850's and S70's about the micro switch.