So somebody tried to steal my car last night. My home was burglarized, and the thieves stole (among other things) the valet key to my Volvo, which was in my nightstand I think the only reason I still have the car is that the thieves couldn't drive a stick shift, because it sure looks like they tried... The gear shift **** was torn off and left sitting on the passenger seat, with those little wires left sticking out of the shaft.

Anyway, it looks easy enough to fix, but I'm unsure which wire goes to which terminal in the **** – there are two. I'm reluctant to just guess in case I short something out. Does anybody have an answer, in plain language - like "The red wire goes on the Reverse Gear side of the ****." - or something like that?

The car is a 1987 740 non-turbo, manual transmission with push-button overdrive.

 

Try to find a wiring diagram. That might help. I only have a automatic though.

 

Either way, the connection is through a simple switch.
It makes no difference which wire to which.
Ed

 

I know this may not be the best help, but I really don't think it matters. I have been having a lot of overdrive issues with my 82 so I have had the shifter apart a number of times. Each time I put it back together I just plug the wires in without thinking about it.

Now keep in mind that I am continuing to have overdrive problems, but with the car not running it has been going on and off perfectly.

Hope this helps, good luck!

 

I have a wiring diagram, but Ed is dead on. It's a simple normally open switch. It just connects the two wires together, so order is not important.

The stick shift foils another evil plot!

 

That's all I needed to know! Working fine now, thanks!