Why can't the Volvo move when it's in P gear?
2 Answers
It is likely caused by an issue with the gear solenoid valve GSM. Here is the relevant explanation: P gear lock-up: The P gear gets locked because when parking, the P gear was engaged first before releasing the brake pedal. If there is a slope on the road (the sensitivity to slopes varies among different vehicles), the vehicle may slightly slide backward (or downward) due to its own weight. During this process, the gap in the P gear lock teeth is automatically eliminated, making it impossible to shift the gear lever out of the P gear position when starting again. How to avoid lock-up: To prevent P gear lock-up (especially when parking on a slope), the correct steps are: First shift into N gear, engage the handbrake firmly, release the brake pedal, and then shift into P gear (this allows the handbrake to take effect, preventing the vehicle from sliding backward or downward).
I remember last year when I was driving my brother's Volvo, I also encountered a situation where the P gear wouldn't move, and I was really anxious in the supermarket parking lot. Usually, this kind of problem stems from the P gear locking mechanism, which requires stepping on the brake pedal to unlock and shift gears. After checking, I realized that I hadn't pressed the brake pedal firmly enough, and pressing it down hard solved the issue. If it still doesn't move, it might be due to a damaged brake switch or poor wiring harness contact, preventing the signal from being transmitted. Another common reason is the key not being in the correct position; make sure it's in the ignition mode. At the time, I tried repeatedly turning the power on and off and almost considered pushing the car forcibly, but a friend later reminded me not to do that as it could damage the transmission circuit. It's advisable to first conduct simple troubleshooting, and if that doesn't work, take it to a professional repair shop to check the fault codes with a diagnostic tool. Volvo's electronic systems are sophisticated, and neglecting small issues can easily lead to bigger problems. Now, I regularly check the brake switch to prevent similar troubles.
