XC90 2016 won't start, locked in park

[Simon Eames]

I have an urgent problem with a car that won't start. The battery is fine, the LCD display comes live when entering the vehicle, and when the start knob is turned the display shows both speedo and rev counter coming live, but total silence and the engine doesn't even try to start. Sometimes a message to put foot on brake, which of course I already have. So it's stuck in park and the recovery company say it therefore won't roll and they want £300+ to crane-lift it and take to garage. Please any urgent and not too technical help for a newbie? Thanks in anticipation...

[LordLucan]

could it be something as simple as the brake pedal switch has become disconnected/detached?

Also try disconnecting the battery terminals for 10 minutes to allow all the control modules to reset.

[Chief inspector]

Have you popped the key in the antenna area ? its in the cup holder on the V90, to be used where there is a low battery or interference.

Worth a try.

Do you have VOC and tried a remote start?

[nu11eaf]

All the above are good advice. There is a way of taking the gear lever lock off in the manual.
This is for XC90 but I think they are the same.
VolvoXC90 ShiftLockOverride_(SP) - Updated 9-9-2016.pdf

[Lexman8]

To deactivate the automatic gear selector inhibitor:

• Lift the rubber mat in the compartment in front of the gear selector.
• Locate the hole with a spring-loaded button in the bottom of the compartment.
• Press a small screwdriver into the hole and hold.
• Move the gear selector to position N and release the button.
• Put the rubber mat back in place.

[Quacker]

There is a way to mechanically temporarily disable the park lock. It should be in the operating manual somewhere.
Just checked and it is under ‘gear selector inhibitor’ in the manual. There is a small round button hidden under the rubber mat in the front trinket tray in front of the lever. Push this down and hold, using a small screwdriver to enable the gear lever to be moved from Park to the N position.

Your first point of contact really should be through the On Call button on the car roof.

[Quacker]

Originally Posted by Lexman8

To deactivate the automatic gear selector inhibitor:

• Lift the rubber mat in the compartment in front of the gear selector.
• Locate the hole with a spring-loaded button in the bottom of the compartment.
• Press a small screwdriver into the hole and hold.
• Move the gear selector to position N and release the button.
• Put the rubber mat back in place.

Wow! Snap! Great minds think alike

[LordLucan]

Originally Posted by Lexman8

To deactivate the automatic gear selector inhibitor:

• Lift the rubber mat in the compartment in front of the gear selector.
• Locate the hole with a spring-loaded button in the bottom of the compartment.
• Press a small screwdriver into the hole and hold.
• Move the gear selector to position N and release the button.
• Put the rubber mat back in place.

you would kindof expect a recovery company to know such a simple thing like that really wouldnt you.

[MaDProFF]

I was going to ask is it under warranty?

To me key fob is first port of call

[Lexman8]

Originally Posted by LordLucan

you would kindof expect a recovery company to know such a simple thing like that really wouldnt you.

Yep, every autobox I've had over several decades has had something like this.