Ok,

I bought the $27 switch from Volvo and I removed the console and then after much pushing and prodding the whole gubbins came out from under the shifter at about 75mph.

I have no idea how it goes back, I tried and it made no difference to the shifter, so before I just drive this vehicle over a cliff because the more I see the more it frustrates me, what can I remove to just make the ****fer work, I don't care about microswitches or clicking, or anything, what can I remove and just let it be?

I'm sincerely sorry to vent, I just made a bad buy and its my fault, so, short of sticking a wadge of something under the shift lock to keep the button depressed, how much of what is below can I remove, the little metal cube which actually performs the lock? Then, maybe I can set about the seat which is locked in reclining mode and then, well, never mind then, HELP !!!

Thanks

Mick

 

Do you have a digital camera?
If so take a couple of pics and I can explain to you how to put it back properly with the new micro switch.

 

Hi Tech,

Well true to form for the day, I managed to get 1 picture out of 3, the one that worked is attached.

Ignore the bare wires, I will deal with that when I know this can be done. The whole unit slides quite easily in and out, but I have no idea where the switch goes and just for the record, even if I can fix this with your help, could I just discard that whole unit and the switch, if I needed to.

Thanks in advance.



[IMG]local://upfiles/2122/CDAD426F63A646C994FAB50EE6A946CB.jpg[/IMG]

 

You probably could discard everything But me I wouldn't for safety issues.
First you have to take the plastic peice off of the old microswitch and transfer it to the new one.
Then you have to slide the soleniod back out of its place.Then you will see a square slot behind it that it will slide into.Just make sure you have the switch the proper way.The plastic clip that gets transfered can fit on 2 ways but should only be one way.

 

Tech,

Again I can't thank you enough, great advice and easy to follow!!

So, here I stand,

Microswitch - fixed
Seat - Cable realigned and seat fixed
Smoke - less but some blueish smoke still around intermittent

The last remaining problem (for a few days) and hopefully my last question of the week;

Inspection due sometime this week, will time smoke and smokeless moments as best I can BUT, the check engine light is on, I see that on mine, it is an ODB11, the port located under the coin slot tray.

I think a purchase of a code reader would be no bad thing, I could read and erase, and I have rather wished for one before, my question is, the code readers seem to be aimed at 96 and newer, the point at which most went to OBD11, will they work on the Volvo socket, put in some 2 years earlier, a pretty dumb question I know, but at $150 for the reader, I would like to be sure its compatable!

I should mention that I cannot reset by disconnecting the battery, because guess what, I cant disconnect the battery, no end of WD40, and tapping, turning etc will allow the lead to depart from the battery terminal (positive side), just another predictable event!!

Thanks again,

Mick

 

Try to find out the company that makes it and contact the company and see if it will work.
I have seen some scanners that will work and others that will not work.

 

Tech,

Is this the same microswitch that I am looking at trying to change? See my message. Anyway, is this microswitch the one in the picture that is fairly square looking with one angled switch arm, and two wires comming off of it... like the small one in the picture here?

 

Yes that is the same microswitch!!!
You can use the info from here as well.

 

ok, once more in to the breech

Code reader tells me I have 2 issues, O2 (no big surprise) and a knock sensor.

I reset the codes, and the drove 5 miles with plumes of smoke, the code came back after 10 miles.

Autozone tell me that a knock sensor is $100 but, since I haven't yet grabbed a Hayne's manual, I don't yet know whats involved in the replacement, is it an easy job or not? Furthermore, could this be related to the smoke issue that I have been seeing?

Under MA law, if the car fails the inspection and is 10 years old, then I only have to spend $200 attmepting to fix it, at a state recognized garage, before I get a waiver. I might be better getting the knock sensor done at a garage, seeing as I can in no way guarantee that the replacement will fix emissions, but an idea of what is involved would be great.

Once more, I find myself being a nuisance, for which I apologize.

Mick

 

What color was the smoke?
Black means carbon Running Rich.The O2 sensor can cause that.
I would look at the O2 sensor first.That would run you about $300.00 or close to that at a shop.
If it is running to rich the knock sensor retarts the timing.If it is to rich for the knocn sensor to adjust it will throw a code.

 

The smoke is light, sort of varying between bluey and whiteish - how technical I sound!

Some times I'll be sat at lights and for no good reason, it'll just spurt out smoke and then stop again.

Is the O2 a shop job or a me job with extra gray hair?

Thanks Tech.

 

Ok, final smoke comment;

It's white, it's intermittent but its significant!!

I think that this was a bad buy on my part, the worst in fact, not because the car was much money, it really wasn't but because I took little care. The car drives so strong on the highway and shifts smoothly, interior great but at 174k, probably this is a car for someone with a yard that can just tackle each issue at a time.

I'll put it through the inspection on friday, knowing it will fail then probably someone will find themselves with a $750 car, rather a bargain if you ask me.

Thanks for all your efforts on my behalf, this site and in particular you Tech, are a great resource.

Mick

 

You can change the O2 sensor your self.
Smoke Black = carbon running rich.
Smoke Blue = burning oil
Smoke White means blown head gasket.

That translates the smoke most of the time but not all the time.
I forget if it is turbo or not if it is the turbo might be going bad.

 

Smoke is completely intermittent and now I look properly, white!

Its a Turbo, no loss in power, no loss of coolant.

I really think now I just need to take the loss and advertise the car locally at $500 or $750 or something and be done, a lesson I didn't want to learn, but such is life I guess.

Thanks for your help!!

Mick

 

You might want to have someone check and see if the headgasket is leaking.
There is a test that can be done with a tool and some liquid that changes colors.

Me myself I wouldn't give up yet.

How much $ do you have in the car already?

If less than $3,000 I wouldn't get rid of it yet.
Those cars are pretty expensive to still buy yet and is it really with getting rid of it yet?

 

OK deep breath, your right!

I have been bogged down with the whole thing, and what you say is right!!

I'll get the headgasket checked, though I can't help but look suspiciously at the turbo!!

I only spent $1675 on the car and slung a tire on it to get it home from New York, so really it only stands at $1,800, with what thus far has been really only stress and not expense!

Frankly the amazing thing is that despite the CEL throwing up codes of Knock and O2, it just PASSED the MA state emissions test!!

So, I think I will relax, get the h/gasket tested and take one day at a time, at least now it is inspected which is more than I expected.

Thanks

Mick

 

Im glad it passed the emmissions.
You are better off looking it through.
Where can you get a good car for less the $2000.00???

Thats how I think about it.

 

Ok, I feel a bit like a yo-yo with this car!!

Head gasket checks out fine according to local garage

Looks like Turbo is getting very tired!! Funny though because it still pulls so well.

Anyway, I have the chance to pick up a family owned vehicle and will do so, despite the fact that all my formers cars and my real love are Saab's and Audi's, after my foray in to the bottom end of Volvo's, I will drive American.

So, I have put the car on e-bay and stated that the first $850 gets it.

Best Wishes,

Mick

 

Well Im sorry that you decided to get rid of it.
But you have to do what you need to do.