1997 960 wagon--starting issues related to shifter and ste..

I have an intermittent problem starting the old wagon. It has 120K+
miles. It's the last of the rear drives. Occasionally, the steering
column lock won't engage, precluding starting. Movement of the wheel
eventually locks it, and it will sometimes start. But then, on
occasion, the shift lever's release must be "tapped" to allow the
ignition process. (this is not the shift lock button on the console,
but the release just under the shifter handle and below it on the
shifter itself. According to one shop who "fixed" the issue, a
grommet had to be replaced in the shifter and all adjustment has been
taken out and the next fix involves pulling the transmission. The car
repeated the problem and I took it back to the shop that initially
"fixed" the problem. The problem continues.
A subsequent shop, couldn't find any problem as this is intermittent.
I have resisted going to the dealership because of reasons related to
past repairs.
Are the steering wheel and shifter problems related or purely
coincidental?
Is there a "fix" short of pulling out the transmission?
Thanks.
gls

Hello
We suffered the same issues. As you say, being intermittent, it is
difficult to assess.

For us, the there were two issues that seemed intertwined. One was fixed
with a $350 replacement of the shift indicator switch. I understand it is
on the outside of the transmission and does not require pulling
transmission.

The related issue involved another intermittent and variable nasty
electronic interlock problem that prevented ignition and seemed to involve
the emergency flashers and burgler alarm. After spending too many wasted
hours in the shop, I wrote down the exact part numbers for a set of relays
that measure about 2 by 2 by 1 (inches) that are mounted in a board behind
the ash tray. At the junk yard, I found a Volvo about the same year having
the exact part numbers, paid the guy $20 for the set of three, and that has
been the end of the weird issues.

Our 1997 has 130,000 miles, uses no oil and is a pleasure to drive. Our
only problem is that there is a seal in the steering rack that leaks. It
seems replacements for this in-between model year aren't to be had. When
the steering fluid is low, there is a roar that is heard while turning. I
am keeping a bottle of steering fluid in the car with me these days but it
would be nice to get that fixed.

Good luck.

"glsvolvo" wrote in message

>I have an intermittent problem starting the old wagon. It has 120K+
> miles. It's the last of the rear drives. Occasionally, the steering
> column lock won't engage, precluding starting. Movement of the wheel
> eventually locks it, and it will sometimes start. But then, on
> occasion, the shift lever's release must be "tapped" to allow the
> ignition process. (this is not the shift lock button on the console,
> but the release just under the shifter handle and below it on the
> shifter itself. According to one shop who "fixed" the issue, a
> grommet had to be replaced in the shifter and all adjustment has been
> taken out and the next fix involves pulling the transmission. The car
> repeated the problem and I took it back to the shop that initially
> "fixed" the problem. The problem continues.
> A subsequent shop, couldn't find any problem as this is intermittent.
> I have resisted going to the dealership because of reasons related to
> past repairs.
> Are the steering wheel and shifter problems related or purely
> coincidental?
> Is there a "fix" short of pulling out the transmission?
> Thanks.
> gls
>