My 850 won't shift out of park most of the time unless I press the override button next to the shift lever. The brake lights work fine.

Is there a seperate switch on the brake pedal for this, or should I be looking elsewhere?

John

 

There is a micro switch next to the shifter that controls it coming out of park.

 

You mean the "Shiftlock override" button? As far as I can tell I shouldn't have to use that button, just press on the brake pedal.

 

No under the console there is a soleniod and a micro switch.
When the shifter is in park the micro switch is closed. When you step on the brake pedal the soleniod is activated which allows you to remove the shift lever from park.

 

Ok, I figured there was some sort of solenoid...

Now what I'm trying to figure out, is why sometimes I can't shift from park without pressing the button next to the lever. Pressing the brake does not release it, but pressing the button does.

Do they both activate the same solenoid?

John

 

The micro switch is common to go bad.
You can either replace the switch with a new one.
Or you can remove the micro switch all together but everytime you hit the brakes the solenoid will make noise.

 

Ah I see. The micro switch is engaged when the gear selector is in park. This allows the solenoid to be engaged when you press the brake, but once you go out of park, the switch opens up and then the solenoid doesn't fire any longer.

Makes sense...

I'll take a look.

Thanks.

 

The switch is priced at $18 (+ shipping) at FCP Groton:

http://www.fcpgroton.com/volvo850other.htm

'93 & '94 seem to share the same unit. '95-'97 models seem to share different unit.


JPN

 

I pulled the switch today at the junkyard. Seemed to be quite a PITA to get to and get out! Was I doing something wrong, or are they really a pain to get to?

John

 

They are a pain. I had to do one on my 97. Only thing hard was seeing the tiny little thing so I could get it back in the right way. Pay real good attention on how it comes out so you know how to put it back in.