Hi, Need to temporarily bypass the neutral safety switch on my 90 240D with a jump wire with alligator clips but I am unsure where to connect them under the hood and at which point on the starter solenoid. also, is there a way to remove the solenoid off the starter motor while it is still in the car? I know removing the starter can be difficult. I need to move the car from the street for repair and suspect the neutral switch. Battery fully charged, fuel pumps but nothing from the starter, no clicks. Thanks for advice. Denisv, Tucson AZ

Hi,

On 1992 and earlier models there is a wire that comes out of the wiring harness, going to nowhere. The harness I’m talking about is connected onto the front of the firewall under the hood.
It is very close to the engine oil dip stick or the transmission oil stick.
It will have an insulated female spade tip.
The wire overrides or bypasses the ignition switch. It will roll over the starter only!
All it needs is a connection to the positive post on the battery.
You will want to only temporarily hook one end to power as you don’t need to roll the starter for very long.
Make sure you are in park or neutral before applying power!
If the solenoid has good internal contacts and if plunger stroke is pushing onto the them, the Bendix engagement gear will then engage the flywheel.
If you put the key in # 2 position the engine will start and run, if it’s all is working.

Yes, you can remove the solenoid from the starter without removing the starter motor itself.
It has three Phillips head screws on the rear of the housing that are in there pretty tight. It takes a ver short screwdriver or a 1/4” drive bit and ratchet to get enough torque applied to get them out in most cases if they have never been removed before. You have to keep pressure on the driver to keep it engaged but it can be done once cracked.

Any more questions, just ask us!

Phil

Phil, thanks. I did find a loose pigtail with an enclosed female spade in the location you suggested but it seems to be dead, nothing when I place a lead from it to the battery positive There is a switch with multiple wires next to it. I went ahead and changed out the starter and solenoid with a rebuilt, hooked it all up and still nothing. The voltmeter shows power going to the solenoid and the battery is fully charged. Turn the key and dash lights go on and fuel pumps activated, but no start, no click from the solenoid. All fuses seem to be intact. Takes me back to the neutral safety switch as a culprit. Any others ideas where to proceed next? I appreciate your help. denis

Phil, just an update. I removed the safety switch from the automatic shift housing and tried to determine if I could jump the wires to override the switch. One of the wires was hot if touched to any of the others, so I didn't try to force anything. After re-installing the switch back into the compartment, I was at least getting a click from the solenoid in park, but still no start.

Unplug the NSS and jumper either the pink and blue or the two blues in the car (not the switch) harness That bypasses the switch. Then make sure you're in park, then try to start normally with the key.

A telltale symptom that your NSS is going south is inoperative reverse lights - they are also controlled by the slide mechanism of the NSS.

Hi,


I surprised that putting power onto that wire did not make the starter solenoid click as that wire tee’s into that circuit.

Look at these postings as they may help.
https://www.brickboard.com/RWD/volvo/1653845/220/240/260/280/replaced_starter_still_start.html
https://www.brickboard.com/RWD/volvo/1653885/220/240/260/280/actual_wiring_diagram.html

Phil

Is the actuating wire connected to the correct terminal? One blade connection at the solenoid feeds the coil with a full 12v bypassing the resistor when the motor is cranking. The other is the one that actuates the solenoid. - Dave

"Need to temporarily bypass the neutral safety switch on my 90 240D with a jump wire with alligator clips"
https://app.box.com/v/volvowiring/file/1695136794
Notice how you can bypass the Start Inhibitor Switch by jumping blue to blue.
--
1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb, M46 trans, 3:31 dif, in Brampton, Ont.