Hello.
I bought a 1995 Volvo 940 Turbo. I can shift to any gear. However, even though I can shift into park, it will not engage. So I have to use the emergency brakes. What are your thoughts on what might be the issue?
Due to insufficient funds, I will try to avoid a costly trip to a mechanic (he's a last resort). So, any information, help, or advice, would be very much appreciated!

 

You mean the parking "brake" feature is inop?
This is internal to the transmission and short of opening the tranny and getting into it, there is no easy solution, and of course, it is costly! I'd leave it alone unless you are prepared to spend some money.

 

I Had this same issue on a 1991 240 non turbo as well as a 1993 940 turbo

Motor mounts in the non turbo
shift link bushings in the turbo

both super cheap and fixed the same issue in 2 different cars


The problem is that the shift bushings wear out or disintegrate and prevent the leaver in the transition from engaging into park.

The mounts have the tendency to push the engine back causing the same issue.
(if you do the 2 motor mounts, also change the transition mount)
they are $6-$10 each and the bushing are about $1.00

 

I just repaired this problem 3 days ago on my '93 940 Turbo Wagon. I also noticed that moving in the other gears was loud and "clanky". I put it on jack stands, slid underneath and moved the shifting lever on the transmission forward and back by hand. It moved easily but I noticed the lever between it and the shifter had a worn out bushing on one end and on the other end it was gone completely!(there's two). FCP and Eeuro offer the bushing pretty cheaply but I was in a hurry. So I went down to the local Ace hardware and got a 3/4" long nylon spacer whose inner diameter was close to the dia. of the pin that goes through the bushing and whose outer dia. was close to the dia. of the hole in the lever that the bushing fits into. They weren't exact so I had to drill out the inner and sand down the outer. Then I cut that spacer in half so I had two 3/8" spacers. I pulled off the circlip that held the pin in, pulled out the pin and the remnants of the old bushing and slid my nylon spacer in it's place. Put the pin and clip back in and repeated on the other end. Done. Now it shifts better than new and ohhh soooo quiet. Oh...and it cost me .40 cents.