Okay, so I just spent a decent amount of money to have the gear shift **** changed on my car. Key in, key out, every time...except for last night. Yes, the f*cker is stuck again.

Brand new ****...think it's the same issue?

Anyone have instructions on how to take the knobv off?!?!
Thanks!
Heather

 

Is the shiftlock button pressed down at all?

The shift **** just pulls off. But first you need to turn the boot where it meets the shifter **** and the boot will fall down. Allowing you to remove the shift ****.

 

I have tried it with the shiftlock up and down. Won't budge.

 

The shift lock button needs to be all the way up.
If it is down at all it will stop the key from coming out.

 

Tech -
To be honest I can't really tell if it's allthe way up. I think it may be down a bit, in a strange position. I haven't owned the car long enough to notice where it should be.

Sooooo, if it's not all the way up...what can I do to see?

 

It would be kind of hard to explain exactly.

Do you have something like WD-40 or something like that?

If so spray a little bit around the button and press it about 20 to 30 times and let it release and see if it helps.

 

I did WD40 it. From what I can tell the button is up and the key still won't come out of the ignition. I don't know how tall the button should be standing up. Being a woman with no upper arm strength, I can't get off the gear shift ****. I am completely frustrated at this point. Regretting ever selling my '90 740 to buy this car. I have myself so far behind financially with everything I put into a month ago when I bought it. And it still has stupid problems like this. I can't afford to go back to the mechanic, so I will be driving around with the key in it. Let's hope it doesn't get stolen!

 

You don't live near Orlando florida do you?

 

Nope, I lived in Ft Lauderdale 2 years ago. HAHA!

I am in Colorado. I do appreciate your help. Something I should havesaid to youin my last post. I am just frustrated and wishing I hadn't sold my "Vinnie".

 

I know if you were close I would have looked at it for you.
Have you tried kind of slamming the shifter into park kind of hard yet?

 

Thanks!

I have tried wiggling it a little to see if there is a sweet spot that would release the key. I have pushed into park as hard as I can. Again, I have terrible upper arm strength. I have crazy leg strength and have debated sitting in the back seat and using my legs. Then I have a fear that I will break the shifter all together and won't be able to drive it.

Stupid cars, haha!

I do think you may be onto something with the shifterlock. I don't think it's all the way up. I know it doesn't stand tall, but it looks cockeyed (for a lack of better word). I will try WD40 again. Is there a way to pop off the button? Or do you have to take the whole console thingie off?

 

You have to remove the console. But that is pretty easy to do.
There is only 2 screws holding it in the car.
If you want me to tell you how to remove it let me know and I will post it for you.

 

That would be awesome...why not try it?

 

Ok pull up the e-brake handle.
Then slide the plastic cover with the boot for the e-brake towards the drivers seat. Then slide it off the e-brake handle.
Then you will see 2 white plugs unplug them.

Next open the console lid. Remove all your stuff. In the bottom you will see a little cover that covers the screws. remove the cover. Look for the little notch to insert the screwdriver to pop it out.

Then remove the 2 screws. They are a 8mm or 5/16 socket.

Then put the shifter in neutral or drive.
Lift the back of the console and slide the console backwards. You will have to work it around the shifter.

They you can locate where the button goes through the panel.

Also you will see a cable in there. make sure it is locked all the way into the groove it goes in. That cable goes up to the ignition. Thats what is stopping the key from coming out for whatever reason.

 

Are you curbing your wheels when you are having this problem?

It could be that the steering wheel is binding causing this problem. My mom had the same problem and all it was is that she was curbing her wheels and it was binding the steering and the key would not come out.

 

TECH!
I think you were right about the shiftlock. I did the WD40 and all. Nothing happened before. Seemed cockeyed and then today...I went to get my CO license at the DMV and the key came out!!!!!! (excited, sorry)

I looked at the shiftlock and it seemed it was higher than before. I am going to put something over the button (because I seem to have a habit of pushing the button out of boredom). Hopefully it is not a random electronic bug.

Thanks agian!
Heather

 

Glad it came out for you keep us posted.

 

I am very new to the Volvo community and my 98 s70 key is you guessed it stuck. Has anyone come up with a perminent fix for this issue? By removing the shift **** can I do anything to take this out of the equation?

 

Is your **** broke or the shiftlock stuck down some?