Hi all,

Volvo 960 Wagon 1996.
I am having a what I think is a problem with the Neutral Safety Switch. What I wanted to know is if there is any way I can test this or describe the symptoms to be more confident that this is in fact the problem. The symptom is essentially that you jump in the car, turn the key and all the idiot lights light up on the dash but there is no juice getting to the starter. No clicks that I could hear either. After playing around with the shifter moving it up and down the range I was finally able to get it to start and it started up strong and fine as usual. This has happened once last night but once was enough.

What I am wondering is if there is any way I can tell if this switch or its setting or cleaning is most probably my problem. For example if this is the problem would it make sense that when this happens I could put the shifter in neutral and start the car right up? I was not being terribly scientific last night when this happened at a very inconvenient time but I know that one thing I did do was move the shifter around through the gears and wiggle it in park.
I have read alot about another solenoid/switch that will keep you from moving the lever out of Park but that is not my problem. I have also read that if this PNP is the problem I can remove it and clean it and have a pretty good chance of getting it back into working order. It is on the right side of the transmission and close enough to the exhaust that it can get heat damaged? You can remove it by working around the transmission cooler lines and the exhaust pipe?

Thanks very much,
Jim Lee

The next time it happens, use your left hand to turn the ignition key to the start(crank) position and hold it there. With your right hand, slowly move the shift lever forward and/or reward until the starter engages. If this works, your P/N sensor is out of adjustment or bad. Every time I've done one, I've only removed the upper atf cooler line at the radiator so I could move it around and I've loosened the muffler clamp so the pipe could swing down and give me more clearance.

This will often affect your reverse backup lights as well.

Sometimes your MIL will be lit on the dashboard also.

All three of the above can occur at the same time, or just one or two, it depends.

The FAQ's outline the procedure and I've got some instructions that I've written up that I could send you if you wanted to do it yourself.

DEWFPO
--
1998 S90 083,228 and 1995 964 154,100

Thanks very much Dewfpo.

Is it correct to say that if my theory that the switch that keeps you from trying to start the car in gear is the "P/N sensor", as opposed to the 'shift/lock/solenoid" that appears to have been a recall item? They are two different parts right? If I go under the car where the shifter is and have someone wiggle the shifter from above will it be obvious where this switch is? Like at the bottom of the shifter mechanism? I see alot about the shift lock issue where you cannot physically move the shifter out of park but am I correct in thinking that is a separate issue?

I would love to see your instructions. I was not able to find information on this sensor in the FAQ. I will check my backup lights tonight and try your trick when and if it happens again. I just cannot imagine what else it could be because it starts very strong the 99 out of 100 times. I think I read somewhere that it might be possible to clean the ocntacts on this switch instead of buying a new one? One thing that stands out in my mind when this happened last night is that ALL the idiot lights came on while the key was turned to crank. I don't think I have seen that before on this car.

Tell me if you need my email address.

Thanks very much,
Jim Lee

Hi JIm,

The PNP (Park/Neutral Posisiton) Sensor is located on the passenger's side of the transmission. It is accessed from below with the car lifted. The shift Interlock mechanism keeps the gear selector in P until you step on the brake and it energizes the solenoid and releases the gear shift lever for movement.

I will PM you the PNP instructions.

Yes it is possible to disassemble the PNP sensor, clean out all the grease, clean the contacts, re-grease and reassemble it. A new (Volvo OE) PNP sensor, runs about $130 plus Shipping.

DEWFPO
--
1998 S90 083,228 and 1995 964 154,100

do the reverse lights come on while in reverse? are the shift linkage bushings intact? if the shift rod isn't moving all the way, the nss/pnp switch won't get where it belongs. good luck, chuck.