I have a 1992 960 wagon. Recently the following repairs have occured: head replacement (broken timing belt), replace mass air flow sensor and replaced starter. Now, on occasions, the car won't start. All instrument panel lights illuminate, radio works, etc. but the starter will not turn-over. I first thought this was a loose wire connection in the starter circuit, but the car may crank fine 10 or 15 times between instances. When the car does crank it does so right away.... no erractic idling or slow cranking or gas smell.

Anyone's diagnosis is appreciated.

Thanks, Greg Vaughn

If wobbling the gear shifter doesn't work.

Just a thought. Do you have an alarm?

If you do. The alarm relay in starter circuit maybe playing up.

It is usually cut into the starter circuit under the dash. The relay is sometimes the weak link.

Nope, no alarm. It started fine today. It appears to only happen after short trips (less than 10 miles). Really bizarre!

When it fails to crank over does it also not crank over if you place gear lever in Neutral position?

The neutral safety switch/gear postion snesor may be the fault but it would likely crank over in N when it doesn't in P if this is the fault.

Or it might crank over after you move gear lever back and forth in P while at the same time holding the key in the crank position.

is your service light on the dash board illuminated? when and if it starts? have you tried to turn it over after waiting a few minutes.

Yes, all lights on the dash are illuminated. If it doesn't crank, I keep turning the key over and over and eventually it cranks--just like nothing has ever happened. You can hear a "click"--sounds to me like from around the gear shifter--when you attempt to crank it and it won't. I'm taking it to a Volvo savvy guy--NOT the dealership (they are idiots)--this afternoon. I'll keep ya'll updated. Keep the ideas coming!

No, it won't crank in neutral either. I haven't tried moving the gear lever back & forth while trying to crank it...I'll try that one today and let you know. Thanks!

I have a 1997 960/S90 doing the samething. It will do this

on short trips and when you wait about 30 min. it will crank with

no problem. I'm going to bring mine into the volvo dealer tomorrow

I'll try to get back to you with the news..

Thanks man! Let me know.

They are going to replace the Gear position sensor. Cost around 450.00.

I hope that will fix the problem or I'm going to have to get a loan !!

Thanks...that's what my guy thinks it is too..we'll see...

My 93 960 is doing the same thing. Best I can figure it is the neutral safety switch. Start relay is closing (that is the click you are hearing by the shift lever - located in the dash behind the ash tray)but no power to the starter solenoid.

What I need to know is how to adjust this swtich and process to remove & replace it. It appears to be attached via a press-on washer,, if this is correct switch which is located on the right side of the shift level beneath the gear shift cover plate.

My wife's '94 960 wagon is having this same type of problem. Car won't start with shift lever in 'Park'. I'm going to have her try changing the shift lever position to 'Neutral' when the car exhibits the symptoms to see if this makes any difference. I'm very interested in an answer to you question about the adjustment/replacement process. I don't like hearing about the $450 price tag the previous posting had cited as the dealer recommendation. For an interlock type of switch, this kind of price seems downright absurd. I'm hoping that this isn't the reality of the situation. If it is, it would seem more like a design blunder than a design feature.