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Ignition froze. Yes, it's in Park. Yes, we jiggled the steering wheel. Yes we called AAA and Volvo Roadside assistance - useless. The tow guy is here, but can't get it into neutral. Ignition turns as far as 1. Thoughts?

Submitted: 118 days and 23 hours ago.

Category: Volvo

Value: $15

Status: CLOSED

Year: 2004
Make: Volvo
Model: XC90

Already Tried:
Tried to start it. Tow guy tried to start it, tried locking and unlocking doors, jiggling steering wheel, couldn't disengage the transmission to get it into neutral to put it on the flat bed - weve rocked the car.

Posted by Chris 118 days and 23 hours ago.

Answer

Well if the tow guy is still there, I can help you get the car onto the flat bed. If you have the tow guy remove the 2 10mm bolts from the snorkel under the hood. This goes into the air cleaner box. If he can do this, he will be able to see the transmission shift cable under the airbox assembly. I believe it has a paper clip looking end, that you unlatch each side, either that or its a ball/socket style that you have to "roll it off" by peeling it to the side. I hope you get this in time and that this helps you. I will stay online to monitor your progress

118 days and 23 hours ago.

Reply

Thank you Chris,
Unfortunately, the tow guy left - but if someone comes back - I'll pass this tip along.

Posted by Chris 118 days and 23 hours ago.

Answer

I am so sorry about that. Is the car at your residence or elsewhere that it needs to be moved directly? As to your question about key stuck in position 1, Its probably going to be a matter that the ignition lock cylinder has failed internally.

Are you able to remove the key at all? Do you have another key that you try in its place? I do not hold that with high regard, but its worth a try if its not out of your way.

Please let me know where the car is, and I can let you know or direct you to unlock the transmission while you wait for the next tow guy.

118 days and 23 hours ago.

Reply

The car is in our driveway.
The key is not stuck - it just won't turn past 1.
do you have more info about disengaging the transmission other than what you originally said?
Like for a non technician?

Accepted Answer

Sure, I can try to help you out. BUT CHOCK THE WHEEL BEFORE DOING THIS.

Safety message brought to you by "kids are important :)"

Ok, under the hood...as you look at the engine from in front of the car, there is a plastic "snorkel" looking device. It approaches the box for the air cleaner. It is held on by 2 10mm bolts up on top of the radiator support. IF you loosen/remove these 2 screws, you can get the snorkel off, then we are 1/2 way home.

If you are having your car towed anyway I am going to have you remove your airbox. For this you will need either a 7mm socket or a flat screwdriver. You need to loosen the clamp at the air cleaner box. Then remove the hose from the aircleaner box. Sometimes they 'stick' so I typically need to work it for a moment, and I have been doing this for a while. After you get the clamp off, you can remove the wire that is going to the air cleaner box. This is the mass air flow meter connector. This should not be damaged at all.

If you have gotten that far, then I would have you pull straight up on the box, remove any vacuum lines if present. After that you will be looking at the top of the transmission. The shifter cable will run towards the front (where you are standing) from the firewall. There will be one of two potential releases for this connector. If you see a small twister paper clip looking device, it locks into the lever on 2 sides. Its pretty intuitive on how to remove that. The 2 edges get pulled outward, and the the metal retainer is off lift the cable, and you expose the transmission shift lever. move that rearwards and your car will be free to push around. If it has the ball/socket style connector, you will need to try to roll the pivot off the ball. From one of the 2 sides you will lift up and try to continue to roll it off. Same application for the lever...and voila you should be done. it should take you less time to do this than it has to type it. :) let me know if you have any more questions please

Accepts:
Expert:	Chris
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Answered:	7/26/2009

Technician

20 Years Volvo experience, Based in Maine, Volvo certified Expert. expertvolvo.com

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Question

Ignition froze. Yes, it's in Park. Yes, we jiggled the steering wheel. Yes we called AAA and Volvo Roadside assistance - useless. The tow guy is here, but can't get it into neutral. Ignition turns as far as 1. Thoughts?

Optional Information

Year: 2004
Make: Volvo
Model: XC90

Already Tried:
Tried to start it. Tow guy tried to start it, tried locking and unlocking doors, jiggling steering wheel, couldn't disengage the transmission to get it into neutral to put it on the flat bed - weve rocked the car.

Answer

Reply

Thank you Chris,
Unfortunately, the tow guy left - but if someone comes back - I'll pass this tip along.

Answer

Reply

The car is in our driveway.
The key is not stuck - it just won't turn past 1.
do you have more info about disengaging the transmission other than what you originally said?
Like for a non technician?

Accepted Answer

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Related Volvo Topics:

Question

Ignition froze. Yes, it's in Park. Yes, we jiggled the steering wheel. Yes we called AAA and Volvo Roadside assistance - useless. The tow guy is here, but can't get it into neutral. Ignition turns as far as 1. Thoughts?

Optional Information

Year: 2004Make: VolvoModel: XC90 Already Tried: Tried to start it. Tow guy tried to start it, tried locking and unlocking doors, jiggling steering wheel, couldn't disengage the transmission to get it into neutral to put it on the flat bed - weve rocked the car.

Answer

Reply

Thank you Chris, Unfortunately, the tow guy left - but if someone comes back - I'll pass this tip along.

Answer

Reply

The car is in our driveway. The key is not stuck - it just won't turn past 1. do you have more info about disengaging the transmission other than what you originally said? Like for a non technician?

Accepted Answer

Related Volvo Questions

Year: 2004
Make: Volvo
Model: XC90

Already Tried:
Tried to start it. Tow guy tried to start it, tried locking and unlocking doors, jiggling steering wheel, couldn't disengage the transmission to get it into neutral to put it on the flat bed - weve rocked the car.

Thank you Chris,
Unfortunately, the tow guy left - but if someone comes back - I'll pass this tip along.

The car is in our driveway.
The key is not stuck - it just won't turn past 1.
do you have more info about disengaging the transmission other than what you originally said?
Like for a non technician?