My car was getting stuck in park and the ABS light would stay on. I was having other stuff done, so they checked and the ABS was fine. They replaced a solenoid. It didn't do its trick for two weeks, but has started doing it quite frequently. I noticed that while the ABS light is stuck on, the windows don't work and neither do the side mirrors. Any ideas?

I would estimate that 98% of the time the problem is electrical, BUT, if you park on an incline then the car can get stuck in PARK and have nothing to do with switches.


When you put the transmission into PARK, a small pin slips into a slot to lock the transmission in place. It's kind of like throwing a deadbolt on a door. If you are parked on a flat surface then no problem, but if you are parked on an incline then it's different. When you are parked on an incline and you put the car into PARK, the car will usually roll a couple inches until the pin engages the slot to lock the transmission. But now that pin is under pressure because the car wants to roll away, it's like if someone was leaning a door. It's much harder to open a deadbolt when comeone is leaning on the door than when they are not leaning on the door. If the car is still moving when you put it into PARK, then there is enough pressure to bend the pin which can make the situation even worse.

IF you park on an incline......
1. come to a complete stop.
2. set the emergency brake.
3. put the car in neutral and take your foot off the brakes to make sure the emergency brake is holding
4. put the car into PARK

when you are ready to leave....
Put the car into drive (or reverse) first, then release the emergency brake.

Just another tidbit of info to add the reservoir.
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Nathan Valles, Black 855R, Tint

Good advice Nathan. Nope, no hill. And, I always set the parking brake before taking my foot off the brake. I was reminded of one of the many good reasons to always use the parking brake recently. This car is new for me. I noticed that it did roll about an inch on fairly flat surfaces when I took my foot off the brake. It was 'cause the parking brake wasn't working. A simple adjustment was all that was needed. Better to find out now, than when I need an emergency brake.

It is most likely going to be the electrical portion of the ignition switch as stated in previous reply's. I will tell you that I recently replaced one in my car and it was fairly simple. Main thing is to get the right tools as per Bay 13. I found some very nice Torx Drivers that were long enough at Home Depot (Husky Brand). All you have to do is be careful and take your time, but it really is as simple as it looks in the instructions.

Tony

Sounds like it could be a bad ground someplace. Maybe check the connectors in front of the battery near the headlight and give them a good cleaning. I'm not sure if they're grounded there... if not I'd find where those accessories are grounded on the car and check it.
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'94 855 5spd 'Drew' 204,500 Miles *** Never assume that your factory timing marks are correct UNLESS you know for a fact WHO has been in there and WHAT they have done!! ASK ME HOW I KNOW!!! ***

I have had a similar problem that seems to be solved by wiggling the ignition key as it was stuck.graphite has solved the problem.

If it is "fixed" by wiggling the ignition switch then REPLACE the electrical part of the switch. Not a bad DIY project. See Bay 13 link.

http://www.volvospeed.com/Repair/ignit_switch.htm

Thanks for all the answers. Yes, wiggling the key does work. I don't think I'll be doing this myself. I'll have a look at the instructions, but I'm a big chicken about stuff like that.

It is very very easy. I am sure that you can do it yourself doesn't matter you are a big chicken or not. You have to buy to long torx screwdrivers first. I got mine from Sears. These drivers are for the steering column cover removal. Disconncect the battery first. Once the steering column cover is off (2 pieces, upper and lower), you can unplug the switch on the lefthand side. Then you remove the 2 philip screws which holds the switch and take the switch out. Installation is the reverse.

Ching-Ho Cheng
1995 855 N/A, Bilstein Shocks, K&N filter
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1995 855 NA, Bilstein Shocks, K&N Filter