|
|
|
Good evening!!
My son's 93 245 has been having trouble starting up the last few weeks, with the shiftlock mechanism giving him trouble. Now his 245 is not starting at all...it is not the battery or starter. Lights turn on when in KP3 and light switch is on. Seems either the neutral safety switch is kaput or , more frustrating, the stupid shiftlock mechanism is messed up.
What can he do right now on an emergency basis and start the car up, drive home the 45 miles to Denton from Dallas?
I'm 12 hours away and not really able to help except on the phone.
Thanks for any suggestions,
el raidman
|
|
|
|
|
The Neutral Safety Switch is an added on part in automatics. The manual transmissioned ones lack it.
Look at the starting circuits for both. There's a plug where in automatics wires go to and come from the NSS. Whereas in manuals the wire just doubles back/shorts. So shorting the wires to the NSS, (effectively removing the NSS from the circuit) should allow the car to be started.
--
1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb but electronic ignition and M46 trans in Brampton, Ont.
|
|
|
|
|
Forgive me if I missed something, but when I have neutral safety switch problems, I look around. Here are some checks besides others I'm reading before he goes hogwild Has he tried to check the fuse (I think it is #12). Clean its contacts. Is the NSS aligned with the shifter. He'd have to unfasten the shifter cover and look at the P and N marks from the passenger side. Has he run a wire from the service socket to the battery+ terminal. This bypasses the ignition switch, but if the engine cranks, I think that the NSS is good. Is there lots of wiggle in the shift linkage (bushings in linkage may be worn)?
For the fun of Volvos,
Mike
--
'83 245 GLT, '92 245DL, '90 760 GLT
|
|
|
|
The shiftlock won't keep it from cranking.
Best make sure, calmly, that the battery cables are not just a bit loose. Have him open the door so the courtesy lamp comes on, and watch it while attempting to crank. If it remains on and doesn't dim, then you might suspect the neutral safety switch. Wiggle the shifter. The test connector on the firewall won't help if the problem is in the neutral safety switch because that goes through it too.
If the dome light goes out when he tries to crank, have him wiggle the battery cables and try again.
All of this fails? Use your own sense of his capabilities before asking him to try the screwdriver-on-the-solenoid trick.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore
Tuesdays and Wednesdays are Senior Citizen Discount Days at the Waterville Food King.
|
|
|
|
|
Thank my lucky stars that I had stashed a spare NSS in the rear storage area. Perhaps tomorrow he will learn ( the hard way) to replace the NSS on a 240. I think I had the starter rebuilt 2 years ago, but you never know.
Thanks,
el raidman
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks, Art. I also think it is the NSS. FCP Groton has one for $22 new. His buddy Volvo mechanic thinks it might be the starter, but I suspect it is the NSS.
Keep it simple, I say. If one hears hoofbeats, think of horses before zebras.
el raidman
|
|
|
|
|
The ol' flat head screw driver solenoid trick from the big red wire terminal on the solenoid to the little terminal with a spade lug wire attached to it bypasses everything except the battery and it's cables! Back in 2000, I had to do this numerous times to get to an out of State interview due to a bad crimp in the wiring harness (almost unheard of).
Your neutral safety switch is highly suspect.
jorrell
NOTE: The solenoid is located on top of the starter.
--
92 245 307K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!
|
|
|
|
|
Yipee!!! He just phoned and he has found the spare NSS that I had stuck inside the rear storage well. Perhaps tomorrow he will find some time to learn how to replace the NSS on a 245 Volvo.
Thanks for all the help, Bricksters!!
el raidman
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks, G'Man!
How about the pink connector that is supposed to be used to crank the engine by shooting current to the starter? I think it is located near the driver's side fender inside the engine compartment.
el raidman
|
|
|
|
Raidman,
I’m not familiar with that connector.
Goatman
|
|
|
|
|
G'man:
If you check the wiring diagrams ( or maybe it could be in the FAQ's for 740's), there is supposed to be a pink colored connector that if you supply current to it, the starter cranks. This is used in rotating the engine to TDC, flywheel work, etc.
I've never used it, but I know it is there.
el raidman
|
|
|
|
|
The pink connector is the 740 equivalent of the one G'man showed you. Still doesn't help if it is the NSS gone bad, which I think is the less likely cause if he still hasn't ruled out the battery connections.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore
THE FOUR STAGES OF LIFE:
1) You believe in Santa Claus.
2) You don't believe in Santa Claus.
3) You are Santa Claus.
4) You look like Santa Claus.
|
|
|
|
|
Oh, I missed this clue in your original post:
Lights turn on when in KP3 and light switch is on
I think I just assumed it was an error and you meant KP2, not KP3. However, if you were accurate and the headlights stay on as you move from KP2 to KP3, there's
a problem in the ignition switch.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore
You spend the first two years of their life teaching them to walk and talk. Then you spend the next sixteen telling them to sit down and shut up.
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks for all the help, Art.
Yes, I meant KP3 with all the idiot lights on in the dash. But this morning he wiggled the shift lever sideways a little and it started right up. He is off tomorrow and will spend the day installing the 'good' NSS that I had stashed in the back for just such an occasion.
I also ordered a new aftermarket one from FCPGroton and it will take a place in the stashed components for next time.
thanks,
el raidman
|
|
|
|
|
OOPS...KP2 not KP3(cranking).
sorry,
el raidman
|
|
|
|
|
Keep the old switch and clean it up using Art's excellent pictorial guidance.
http://cleanflametrap.com/neutsw.html
There is no need for a new aftermarket switch.
Dan
|
|
|
|
|
OOPS, too late, I ordered one from FCPGroton. And you and the other Bricksters were correct, it was the NSS going Kaput. He replaced it at midnight last night after work and his friend (Volvo nut also) broke off the plastic part that keeps the shifter/brake pedal combo from cranking. Now she starts like a champ!
Thanks again, fellow Bricksters! That's why this forum is so valuable.
el raidman
|
|
|
|
|
