I've got a 1989 244 automatic that developed a non-starting problem today. Actually, it was probably afflicted with it thanks to my actions, so let me explain . . .

As I was getting ready to leave the old Charleston Navy Base today, there was this parking lot that had an elevation of a few feet higher than the surrounding roads. I guess it had been filled in or something; Charleston isn't a particular hilly place. So, I drove up the short incline, and unfortunately at the top there was a bit of a bump, kind of like a speed bump. I wasn't going particularly fast and I attack things head-on, but unfortunately I didn't realize that my car just doesn't have that clearance--the middle bottom out and scraped a bit as I pulled in.

Well, I freaked out immediately. I've bounced the front and back off the ground, but never nearly beached my car. I pulled into a parking space and got out to check things. I took a look underneath from both the driver's and passenger's sides to make sure that nothing was "bleeding" or obviously broken. I didn't turn off the car while getting out, and the sight check turned up nothing.

Very conveniently, I drove to our mechanic's shop--I was meeting my dad to pick up his truck that had had some work done. I switched to the truck, leaving my car, and we took the truck home.

When we got back and I tried to start my car, nothing happened. The warning lights came on and the door chime went off, but the starter made absolutely no noise when I turned the key all the way clockwise.

The mechanic happened to come out and try a few things when my dad and I told him what was happening. He had me turn on the lights--which work with the key in--and then try to start the car in Neutral, which worked.

Obviously, the battery and starter are still good. The mechanic guessed that I had probably damaged the gear sensor position/switch in some way or knocked the sensor out of position. My car is an '89, so I'm pretty sure it doesn't have the shiftlock inside the gearshift.

What do you guys think? His explanation seems pretty reasonable to me, and I would have taken him up on the offer to repair it were I not (1) busy this entire weekend and (2) not at home for this part of the year. So, I've got some questions.

First, is the car safe to drive? The mechanic mentioned no problems with it, just that I'd have to start it in N for the time being. As I said, nothing underneath appears to be broken or leaking, but is this problem an indication of something much more serious?

Second, what's the problem and can I fix it? I don't have a ton of tools up at school (where the car will eventually be fixed) and I don't know any "independent" mechanics; that means, I don't know any shops where I can bring them a part and get them to install it for me for really cheaply. Unless the repair is very simple, I'll have to take the car to either a Euro Car Specialist place (the local Volvo mechanic) or a place like Aamco (since it seems to be a transmission issue).

What do I need to do, besides be a little more careful about the obstacles I attempt to tackle in my car?
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'89 244 GL -- 117,275 miles (see profile for info on car)