I've had to do this in the past.

I agree with Klaus. Do that first that will be a lot easier of a fix. The micro switch is located inside the car in your center console area. If it comes down to being the pnp unit, here is the easiest way to address that.

Take the battery, and battery tray out.
Next take out the air box and all that is attached to it.

By doing this you will have complete uncluttered access to the pnp switch that sit on the top of your transmission housing.
With a permanent marker review the pnp position settings and mark accordingly onto your transmission housing.
Then r/r the switch. If you are mechanical in nature this should take approx 1 hour from start to finish.
Any questions just let me know.
my contact info can be found at www.weareoil.com
Thanks.

I just had my 1995 850 turbo sedan's pnp switch changed at the local volvo dealer for a grand total of $238, parts and labor. To me, that sounded very reasonable and included no work of my own.

One of the things my dealer mentioned is that there is a 20% discount on labor for all volvo cars fixed at volvo dealers, if the cars are more than 10 years old.

Of course, you have to make sure that it is the pnp switch and not anything else.

If the car will not start, could it not also be the shift micro switch?

When the PNP goes bad, the shift arrow will flash and the car will stay in limp mode. Plus, there will be suitable codes stored.

You do not need to get a special tool. If the PNP is aligned properly, the back up lights will come on when you shift to R.

Klaus
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