1993 240 Wagon, Shift Lock Problems

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Patricia Butler - 14 May 2008 16:15 GMT

Hi! I have a 1993 240 wagon (the 4th 240 I've owned - I love them!)
with 205,523 miles on it. Overall the car's great. Recently,
however, I've been having trouble with the shift lock engaging even
though I'm stepping on the brake when I go to shift. It doesn't
happen every time, but frequently. Luckily this model has the shift
lock override button, so it's just a matter of reaching across with my
left hand and pressing that button while shifting into gear with my
right hand, so it's just a minor pain in the a.s compared to so many
other possible problems. Still, I'm wondering why this has suddenly
started happening. I've been driving the car for probably 4-5 years
now without this happening previously. Is it a sign of more serious
impending problems? Is it worth having fixed? Or should I just keep
pressing the override button when necessary and not worry about it?

Thanks much,

Patricia

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Chuck Fiedler - 14 May 2008 20:11 GMT

>Hi! I have a 1993 240 wagon (the 4th 240 I've owned - I love them!)
>with 205,523 miles on it. Overall the car's great. Recently,
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>impending problems? Is it worth having fixed? Or should I just keep
>pressing the override button when necessary and not worry about it?

Kinda depends on the value you place on convenience. I would tend to
suspect the shift lock relay which a good mechanic should be able to
do for less than $150 total. A dealer will do it for the value of the
vehicle plus a hundred or so.

My not so humble opinion. WMMV.

Chuck Fiedler
Nothing but Volvo since 1974

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clay - 14 May 2008 20:51 GMT

>>Hi! I have a 1993 240 wagon (the 4th 240 I've owned - I love them!)
>>with 205,523 miles on it. Overall the car's great. Recently,
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> Chuck Fiedler
> Nothing but Volvo since 1974

If it is indeed a relay of the electrical ilk that's causing it, a diy
fix would be touch up the solder joints on it.
So far, I've resurrected my OD and turn sigiginal relays that way...
If it's a mechanical type relay, ignore all the above.

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James Sweet - 14 May 2008 21:31 GMT

>>> Hi! I have a 1993 240 wagon (the 4th 240 I've owned - I love them!)
>>> with 205,523 miles on it. Overall the car's great. Recently,
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> So far, I've resurrected my OD and turn sigiginal relays that way...
> If it's a mechanical type relay, ignore all the above.

Could probably just remove the shift lock mechanism or otherwise disable
it too, most 240s never had it in the first place.

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