my new (to me) volvo has been having problems already, check out the past posts. i did find the shift release and am now able to move the gear shift back and forth, but now the car will not start. also the brake is not decompressing fully, theres a lot of tension,and even with an exobinate amount of pressure i can barely move it more than an inch or two. the interior and exterior lights work and there are no clicking sounds, no real sounds at all. any advice? should i give up and have it towed to a mechanic? any great affordable mechanics who work on volvos in the chicagoland area?

 

Try sliding the shifter into neutral and see if it starts.