Hello

From all what I've been told I need to replace my PNP switch. I purchased it from the dealer but the dealer does not sell the alignment tool I was told that is needed. Where can I purchased this tool? Will the cost of this tool be worth the savings of doing it myself or should I leave the job to the dealer. Can the job be done with some other type of alignment tool. Tired of walking and need to get this car running or move on. I live in VA Beach, VA if any of you know a cheaper place than the dealer to get this job done. Thanks, is it

Go to Bay 13 and follow the instructions for PNP switch replacement. The alignment is a piece of cake. There isn't much adjustment anyway.
It's nto too bad of a job. Removing all the stuff to get at it is most of the work. The connectors are a little tricky to get off. There is a latch mechinism that lifts up and they come apart.
Good luck,
Tom
http://www.volvospeed.com/volvo_performance.php
--
Tom 69-1800S, 72-1800ES, 96-850T

Thanks I followed the instructions and the car is running fine. You were right very little adjustment was needed.

Yeah right they won't sell to you, that is the biggest load of hog wash I have heard all day. You can do it without the tool. Simply set it in where it belongs, twist the key to the on position and put the gear selector in "R", adjust until the reverse lights come on, put in "P" and bump the key, put in "N" and bump the key. When the starter engages in "P" and "N" and the reverse lights light in "R" you are there. Tighten everything down and button it up. I predict you are going to have way more problems getting the silly little electrical connector apart than you are going to have getting it adjusted with out the tool. IF you really need the tool I have no doubt that you could buy the darn thing online. Take a look at Volvo Cars web sight, there should be a link that will redirect you to Kent-Moore (I think) who currently produces the Volvo factory tools.


Mark

Mark,


Appreciate the info, Truthfully I am not much of a car repair guy besides the basics. I had the flashing yellow arrow on the dash and poor shifting (which I'am told is the sign that the PNP switch is bad) I disconnected the battery to remove the code and did ratcheting of the shift lever as outline in the procedure, since completing that the car won't start now but I am told that could be the PNP also. If you think it is still the PNP I will give it a try since I have already bought the switch from the dealer and it can't be returned. I am not sure what exactly to adjust once I placed it into "R"? And since I have to bump it, I have to put the battery back in. Can I make this adjustment with the battery in place? Thanks for all your help.

Carl

Not that the PNP couldn't cause your car to start but I have never seen one do it. Usually you will just get the flashing yellow arrow and have a code stored for a bad gear position sensor. If you took the battery out and ratcheted the gear selector through it's positions a few times and now it does not start I would have to be more suspect of something you inadvertently screwed up while you were in there. Possibly you failed to reconnect something or knocked something loosed and did not even know it at the time.

The thing you have to do with the "R" is make sure that the reverse lights come on. To adjust you rotate the switch. If you look at the switch you will see it has two mount holes, one is a simple round hole and the other is elongated and allows you to move the switch around a little bit. You need to have it in place and ready to be tightened down and then put it in R with the key on and see if your reverse lights are on. If they are not on the go ahead and move the switch a little bit until they are on. Then check to see that the starter will engage in P and N. When you have all three, you are done. I have even gone so far as to have someone hold the key in the crank position while I moved the sensor around, when I find the sweet spot they let off of the key and I tighten it down and check for reverse lights.

Yes, you will need to have the battery in to perform these steps and yes I have no doubt it will be a little awkward but it should be doable. Myself, I use the tool on the 850's and use the method I have described to you above on the 960's as the tool only works so well on them and they lend themselves to the above method a little better than the 850's do.

Take a look at the Bay 13 tutorial on changing it out and if you think it is more than you want to tackle then tow it to someone who will. That tutorial does not appear to address putting it back together without the alignment tool. You can do it without it as I have described but it may be a little tough if you have never done one and are not entirely sure of what end results you are trying to achieve.

Good Luck, Mark

Mark,

I'am not sure if the car not starting is connected with the switch also but I managed to install it with success. Happy to say that I followed your instructions and the job was a lot easier than I worried about and is running fine. Can't say I'am as big of a fan of Volvos as a lot of people on this site seem to be but the site is awesome because of people like you who are willing to share their knowledge. This is the 3rd repair I made with guidance from this site. Thanks for your help and good luck to you and yours.

Carl

does your over-ride switch not work? You might try sweedishpartswholesale.com

Not sure what you mean by the overide switch but i will check out the site. Truthfully I am not much of a car repair guy besides the basics. I had the flashing yellow arrow on the dash and poor shifting (which I'am told is the sign that the PNP switch is bad) I disconnected the battery to remove the code and did ratcheting of the shift lever as outline in the procedures, since completing that the car won't start now but I am told that could be the PNP also. Does the override switch have anything to do with this. Thanks