I have an 850 that is tempremental when starting. The gear shift usually needs a nudge forward while the key is in the start position to get the car to crank over. I have been snooping around this sight and Bay 13 and seem to think the microswitch under the console might solve the problem. I have checked for fault codes on the transmission, and found none. The electrical starting system has been teseted by a independant garage and found to be OK. I do not think it is the PNP switch since I do not have a flashing arrow on the dash. Only other thought I have would be a faulty ignition switch at the steering wheel. Any thoughts on how to track this one fruther would be appreciated.

Yep that is your PNP for sure... part is $70 and BAY13 have all the detail how to do it yourself.

I to have the same problem my is with the flashing airow....

but do not have the time to replace it yes...

Please let me know how long does it take you to do it and any input that you can share when you replace your..

good luck.

through an order mix up, I am still awaitng the PNP switch and the alignment tool. I will let you know if this solves the problem

It's the PNP switch, not the microswitch in the shifter that's causing your problem. That microswitch doesn't effect starting, all it does is release the shifter from Park when the brake pedal is depressed, nothing more.

Change the PNP Switch. It doesn't have to set a code to cause this problem. You can try "ratcheting" the shifter all the way from park to low and back several times to clean the contacts. It might buy you a little time. The switch is only about $70 and the instuctions for changing it are at volvospeed.com