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HELP!, HELP! -- 2000 s40.... ignition switch lock out? Can't start it! S40-V40

posted by  someone claiming to be LockedOut on  Fri Oct 7 15:47 CST 2011 [RELATED]


Well... I'm totally frustrated and mystified as to what happened with my new-to-me s40... It's been running and starting just fine in the four or so weeks I've owned it. Then today I took a small errand while on a break at work and when I came back out to start the car, I couldn't turn the key to the third or last position which does all the magic of starting the engine.

I have tried just about every combination of wiggling and moving the steering-wheel, the key-switch, and the shift-lever back and forth. I can't seem to get it to let me turn to that last position. Argh!

I called my regular volvo shop and a tech told me it sounds most likely to be something with a cable and pin system connected from the shifter to the key-switch. The pin has somehow become stuck and the ignition system is not "seeing" that it is indeed in park or neutral. The pin is blocking it from the final turn.

So... I'm wondering if any of you have any helpful hints as to what to try next? Are there any work-around tricks to bypassing the key-swith altogether? Can I pop the cover off the gear-shift lever (at the base, with numbers), or on the lever itself to get in there and somehow coax that cable and pin system to release?

Oh... and I also was wondering if any kind of ODBII error-codes thrown can cause a lock out situation so that you are protected from damaging the engine? If so, perhaps it would be worthwhile to finally purchase a code reader?

Any tips at all would be most graciously thanked...I can't really afford a two and mechanics fees for something that is likely quite simple.







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    HELP!, HELP! -- 2000 s40.... ignition switch lock out? Can't start it! S40-V40

    posted by  KlausC on  Fri Oct 7 16:02 CST 2011
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    #1 the shift lever must be in P or N to engage the starter, but you already know that.

    #2 you can row the shifter from P to L with your foot on the brake.

    So, is the alarm system still enabled? Check the red light on the dash and see if it is still blinking after the key is in the on position - all idiot lights on.

    If there are no idiot lights, check the battery cable connection. And, the hot wire going down to the starter.

    Klaus
    --
    Did you do your Random Act of Kindness today?








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      HELP!, HELP! -- 2000 s40.... ignition switch lock out? Can't start it! S40-V40

      posted by  someone claiming to be LockedOut on  Fri Oct 7 16:15 CST 2011 [RELATED]

      Thanks for the response. I'm not sure what you mean to say with #2. Do you mean I should check to see if I can do this? Or should I do it in order to try to disengage that cable/pin system?

      I didn't notice if the alarm system is still on... unfortunately a co-worker gave me a ride home after work and I am now away from the car. I don't recall a light blinking after turning the switch though. Most all lights turned on...then most of them began to go out until just a few were left.

      Do you know if I can pop any of the shifter covers to get in there and manually coax that cable-pin deal to realease?

      Also... does that button on the shift lever have anything to do with it? It seems to not pop back out very fast or well after pushing it in...?







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        HELP!, HELP! -- 2000 s40.... ignition switch lock out? Can't start it! S40-V40

        posted by  KlausC on  Fri Oct 7 18:37 CST 2011
        Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
        last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
        [RELATED]

        #2 was in response to the mechanic saying the PNP is out of wack. Rowing the shifter about 20 times from R to L usually clears that up.

        But, that is not your problem.

        A sticky shift button WILL cause the key not to go to start. Bring some WD40 or some other penetrating oil and give the button a shot. If the button does not pop up, you are not in Park and cannot start the engine. Tap the shifter lightly to try to get the button to the top.

        Remember, you could try the key when in N.

        Klaus

        --
        Did you do your Random Act of Kindness today?








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          HELP!, HELP! -- 2000 s40.... ignition switch lock out? Can't start it! S40-V40

          posted by  someone claiming to be LockedOut on  Fri Oct 7 18:53 CST 2011 [RELATED]

          The button does come out though, just seems to be something wrong with it... if it does come out, but slowly, should be OK right?

          I tried it in neutral.... button out also, still blocked from turning key to position three...

          I'm wondering... if it has something to do with the alarm... would unplugging the battery, then reconnecting it clear something and help?

          Guess nobody else cares about this.... nobody can say if popping the covers on the shifter and getting in there can help...

          Frown.







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            HELP!, HELP! -- 2000 s40.... ignition switch lock out? Can't start it! S40-V40

            posted by  runwld2 on  Sun Oct 16 20:40 CST 2011
            Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
            last visit: Tue Sep 30 13:11 CST 2014
            [RELATED]

            Not that we don't care, I am following this closely in case this happens on either of my daughters S/V40's. I just have nothing to contribute, I don't know squat about these cars.
            Did yo get it going?
            --
            245 Classic M47, 245SE AW IPD bars, 84 1/2 242 Tic IPDbars & Springs, 89 745 16v M46, IPD bars, 89 744 16v M46 IPDbars








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            HELP!, HELP! -- 2000 s40.... ignition switch lock out? Can't start it! S40-V40

            posted by  KlausC on  Fri Oct 7 20:14 CST 2011
            Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
            last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
            [RELATED]

            Removing the console probably will not do anything for you. The fact theat the button comes up slowly could be just the small spring on the button and not the shaft that goes down the entire inside. WD40 might help, if it can free up the shaft.

            Try that tomorrow.

            Disconnecting the battery won't do diddly, the alarm system has its own battery under the right front fender.

            Klaus
            --
            Did you do your Random Act of Kindness today?







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