PNP/Starter inhibitor switch

Hi!! Bit of a prob with my 855 2.5 10v auto.

A while ago, the orange up arrow autobox light was coming up, and vehicle, for a while after first driving off, was stuck in winter mode This happened on and off for a while, but seemed to 'go away' a few months back! I assumed it was famous 'pnp' switch but didnt change it.

Anyway, had to change OSF outer cv joint 2 weeks ago (GKN part from GSF - with boot - £60: Volvo exchange shaft £270 + VAT!! Guess which one i bought..........?!?). Turned out to be bit of a nightmare when the inner joint decided to fall apart, and one of the spiders and bearings came part! By the way, there are 32 needle rollers! i found them all, and reassembled. Perfect, no problems - until last week, when pulling off feels like, just momentarily either engine misfiring or ABS operating or gearbox juddering!! Well full service 6 months ago, and engine fine otherwise, no ABS lights, and that only leaves one thing....and next time it happened i could feel it was definately the 'box. But ive also noticed occasionally that on first turning the key (with box in PARK) that nothing happens......wait, go again and engine spins and fires...........but no orange up arrow.

PNP again?

Fluid clean as you like, and i only changed it 10k miles ago anyway..............

[warthog]

Kevin,

the next time that the starting problem occurs - if you remember, try holding the key in the start position and moving the gear lever within the Park position. If this solves the problem then I think it fairly certain that it's the PNP switch (or to try first, the cable adjustment) If it doesn't turn over then I would look towards the ignition switch - another known fault area.

The winter mode problem may be something as simple as the mode switch not contacting correctly. Where they're positioned on the centre console they can get all sorts of junk spilled on them as well as filling with dust and debris. I'm not sure how best to clean the muck out.

The box judder - I've had this in the past and on consultation with a good local independant auto box specialist, they did some research and found that it can be an occasional problem with this model of gearbox. The cure was a change of fluid - initially didn't sort the problem so they did it again. They also added some additive from the States that seemed to help.

Company was The Gearbox Workshop in Bristol.

Hope these thoughts help.