My 94' 960 sedan with 90K miles won't start without pushing the shifter from park to neutral a few times. It gives a slight click - if otherwise try to start in Park.

The starter was replaced a month ago at tremendous cost. The same mechanics states it needs a Neutral Safety switch replacement at around $150.00 I would welcome your comments please before I spend more $$$.

thanks,

Roy

I had the same problem with my neutral safety switch (also known as a PNP switch for some obscure reason). During a discussion with an independent mechanic who services only Volvos, he said that it was a common problem and that his shop of eight mechanics averaged about three switch replacements per week in the Orlando area. As I recall, the part was available only through the dealer who wanted about $150 for just the part. If your mechanic can do the whole job for that price (part and labor), better jump on it.

I took a chance at the local salvage yard and bought a used one for $60. Installation was a bear of a job, but I completed it. The procedure calls for unbolting the exhaust pipe, but I was able to remove it without disconnecting the pipe. The Shadow even posted some info concurring with this procedure. I did have to disconnect the transmission cooler lines from the trans housing to provide clearance to slide the switch off the shift rod sticking out of the trans. The unit is located on the passenger side of the trans, with a wiring pigtail that goes up over the trans and plugs into a connector on the driver's side. The pigtail was tied in several spots, and I had to cut the ties by feeling for them and hoping for the best. There's provisions for adjusting the positioning, but I didn't have to mess with it as my car ran OK after installation.

Good luck.

Many thanks for your lengthy description!

I appreciate your help. I have sold the car to a dealer, yet our new Honda CRV won't be available until 3 more weeks. Murphy's law! Right now it starts only if I move the shifter from Park to Neutral back and forth a few times. Small inconvenience if it will hold off me paying for the repair. Do you think it will do ok till I trade in the car?

thanks again,

Roy

Didn't mean to write a book - just got carried away. The symptoms I experienced were the occasional failure to start (maybe every fifth time or so) that required cycling the shifter. This gradually progressed over a period of several days/weeks until I had to cycle the shifter more times than not to get it to engage. Finally came the time when no amount of shifter recycling would let it start.

Based on my experience, I'd say that if you have to cycle the shifter more times than not to start the car, you're close to the end. Can you go three more weeks? Maybe, maybe not. It's a crap shoot at this point.

I had even considered removing the PNP switch and jumping the connection that's failing, but found out that it's not a simple thing. There are a number of wires involved, and the switch apparently does lots of other things besides ensuring that the car's in Park during start. The only fixes are to either replace the switch or never turn the car off.

Good luck - hope it lasts another three weeks.