Hello- Is there a way to bypass or disable the gear shift lever solenoid, or mechanism that keeps the shift from moving unless your foot is on the brake on my 1993 240? My solenoid is bad and I would just like to get rid of this once and for all!

 

There is. Although it's not very safe to be able to start the car while it's in D or R. I can't give you the exact "procedure" but once you get in there it's rather self explanatory. I'd try and get another switch--they are not expensive.

 

I don't think he is talking about the neutral safety switch. Instead he is talking about the device that keeps you from putting it into gear unless your foot is on the brake - which was introduced in '91.

I don't know how to disable it but there is a manual override. If you reach down into the shifter, towards the rear of the car you can feel a little lever. If you push it to the side it should release the shift lever. Take the cover off, you may be able to find a way to permanently disable it.

 

Yes sir, you are correct, not NSS, but device that keeps you from putting car into gear unless you have your foot on the brake.

Also, on my 93, there is a button located just forward of the shifter to manually bypass it. However, this being wife's daily driver, well you know.............

 

on many cars, that same lock mechanism is tied into the ignition key, I don't know if they did this on 240/940, but my 1996 850 is like this... if that shift lock release button gets sticky, you can't remove the key.

anyways, looking at the parts diagram for a 1993 240, it appears there's a solenoid and a bowden cable, although its unclear how they all are connected. the cable comes off the front side of the metal box the shift lever assembly sits in, and it appears to be connected to the shift gate mechanism, which looks more complicated than the earlier versions I've seen.

wild guess says, disconnect the shift linkage lever under the car (plan on replacing the plastic bushings, they are undoubtably worn out), and remove the 4(?) screws holding said box to the tunnel, and you should be able to lift the whole thing out, then take it all apart and figure out what makes it tick.

while you're in there, you could replace the bulb that back lights the gear you're in, thats almost always dead on a 20 year old car.

 

Yeah, the whole thing has to come out to disable that solenoid, pin, etc. It is doable, just get the assembly out, then it becomes clear.