Shift knob gear indicator LED not working - 2013 S60 RD

Squintz82 · Jul 6, 2015

I noticed today that the LED light on the shift knob of my '13 S60 RD is not illuminating. Neither the nob light nor the gear indicator is lighting up. Is this a common issue or quick fix? Car is still under warranty, but just seeing if it's worth an appointment at the dealer.

Here's what I'm referring to.

Thanks

vroomr · Jul 6, 2015

That happened to my '13, P and N stopped illuminating. The dealer replaced the shift handle under warranty. The part was $115, IIRC.

Squintz82 · Jul 6, 2015

Good to know, thanks. I'll make an appointment.

dianma · Jul 6, 2016

Squintz82 said:
I noticed today that the LED light on the shift knob of my '13 S60 RD is not illuminating. Neither the nob light nor the gear indicator is lighting up. Is this a common issue or quick fix? Car is still under warranty, but just seeing if it's worth an appointment at the dealer.

Here's what I'm referring to.

Thanks

I'm having the same problem, but yesterday I noticed that when I move the leather on below the lights flicker. I don't know if it's a loosen cable or what. Check it out to see if it does the same with yours. Mine does it when I put it in parking after using the car.

dianma · Jul 6, 2016

Mine 2013 is having the same problems. When I put it on parking or Revers the green led will flicker or just won't turn on, plus the white lights surrounding wont light up when I put it on parking. But yesterday I noticed that when I move the leather below on the shifter the whit light will flicker and the led will turn on. Probably a loosen cable or something. Check it out if it does the same with yours.

@ChristopherMcG · Jul 7, 2016

New shift knob is needed. Had mine replaced under wrnty

Max Glazer · Feb 1, 2021

What dies is a wire inside. It's possible to buy a replacement wire, but it'll take long time to swap over since the shifter will need to be removed, disassembled, new wire installed, shifter reassembled and then installed back into the car.

billqueenis · Feb 1, 2021

Squintz82 said:
I noticed today that the LED light on the shift knob of my '13 S60 RD is not illuminating. Neither the nob light nor the gear indicator is lighting up. Is this a common issue or quick fix? Car is still under warranty, but just seeing if it's worth an appointment at the dealer.

Here's what I'm referring to.

Thanks

I wonder if the wire that plugs in within the console is loose or broken. To plug it back it, you have to take appart the center console to even acess it.

p.rico · Feb 1, 2021

Not sure who I'm responding to since the thread was bumped from years prior...

...but the cable is likely ruined.

It's all in here (replacement of knob or cable if you find an appropriate ribbon cable (good luck).

p.rico's S60 T6 Journey and DIY Thread | Page 15 | SwedeSpeed - Volvo Performance Forum

I've replaced it twice. Second one broke a few months later. Not worth the hassle.

Here's the full swap thread with information on how to disassemble the center stack and replace the assembly.

2013+ Illuminated Shifter Assembly Retrofit into 2011-2012 S60's | SwedeSpeed - Volvo Performance Forum

KLEPTOROTH · Feb 4, 2021

I just got a 2013 Volvo S60 T6 R-Design. I'm going to try and see if I can get this cable from Digikey to replace the one I inadvertently tore while trying to take the shifter off..... ahem.... but the reason I took it apart is because it didn't work anyway. I only realized it even lit up when I looked down and saw it flicker.

0151660093 Molex | Cable Assemblies | DigiKey

Order today, ships today. 0151660093 – 8 Position FFC, FPC Cable 0.020" (0.50mm) 12.0" (304.8mm) from Molex. Pricing and Availability on millions of electronic components from Digi-Key Electronics.

www.digikey.com

Also does anyone know WHY every single site says you MUST replace the boot at the same time that you replace the shifter? I took apart the shifter and it seems you can just replace the cable. Of course this exact cable is impossible to get so I'm trying to find a cable that matches the specs close enough (took a ton of research because I am not familiar with these cables) and I'm not sure I'm right yet but if I am, I should be able to just pop in the new cable (even if it isnt an exact fit) and be off to the races (literally with this car).

KLEPTOROTH · Feb 4, 2021

Max Glazer said:
What dies is a wire inside. It's possible to buy a replacement wire, but it'll take long time to swap over since the shifter will need to be removed, disassembled, new wire installed, shifter reassembled and then installed back into the car.

Do you have a link to the replacement wire? I've been looking for DAYS and can't find one.

Max Glazer · Feb 4, 2021

KLEPTOROTH said:
Do you have a link to the replacement wire? I've been looking for DAYS and can't find one.

I never had to do this since I have the old all-leather gear knob on my 2011 S60 so I never dealt with this person. Here is a link to his video and the link to the wire purchase is in the description.

KLEPTOROTH · Feb 5, 2021

Max Glazer said:
I never had to do this since I have the old all-leather gear knob on my 2011 S60 so I never dealt with this person. Here is a link to his video and the link to the wire purchase is in the description.

Thank you, did a lot of research and never came across this - although using a Google form for a purchase request thing is really sketchy. Will give it a shot.

p.rico · Feb 6, 2021

I posted this information about the eBay seller in the shifter install thread, but I did not recommend it. In fact, a member on here named
Rrrracer on post # 64 (linked in the number) bought said cable from eBay guy and it's no better than what you can buy yourself online.

The cable needed is 1/20 of the price being charged. It is an 8 pin 0.5 mm pitch FFC that can be found in multiples for cents on the dollar. You just have to buy it from Aliexpress or eBay from China and wait a few weeks.

Be prepared for it to break again in a few months. Again, there is a reason Volvo discontinued this shifter style after one model year.

KLEPTOROTH · Feb 6, 2021

p.rico said:
I posted this information about the eBay seller in the shifter install thread, but I did not recommend it. In fact, a member on here named
Rrrracer on post # 64 (linked in the number) bought said cable from eBay guy and it's no better than what you can buy yourself online.

The cable needed is 1/20 of the price being charged. It is an 8 pin 0.5 mm pitch FFC that can be found in multiples for cents on the dollar. You just have to buy it from Aliexpress or eBay from China and wait a few weeks.

Be prepared for it to break again in a few months. Again, there is a reason Volvo discontinued this shifter style after one model year.

Oh yeah, fully aware of that. but if he's selling the cable exactly the way it is in the car, I get the reason for the upcharge. He's also shipping it and including instructions so there is some valueadd there.

I have procured a cable from digikey and it was $4 plus $5 shipping.

Either way, I don't mind spending $15 on a cable vs over $120 on the entire assembly.

I'm probably going to wrap it in tape as others have to try to extend it's life. If the cable from digikey works, I'll probably just order a few extra and replace it whenever I have an issue. I broke some tabs trying to pull the knob apart, so I might end up replacing the entire thing later anyway.

I didn't want to wait weeks for it from china, so I paid extra to get it from somewhere in the US. I just got the car, and am too excited to wait

.

Thanks for the good info regardles!!!

Flying Tomato · Mar 20, 2023

KLEPTOROTH said:
Oh yeah, fully aware of that. but if he's selling the cable exactly the way it is in the car, I get the reason for the upcharge. He's also shipping it and including instructions so there is some valueadd there. I have procured a cable from digikey and it was $4 plus $5 shipping. Either way, I don't mind spending $15 on a cable vs over $120 on the entire assembly. I'm probably going to wrap it in tape as others have to try to extend it's life. If the cable from digikey works, I'll probably just order a few extra and replace it whenever I have an issue. I broke some tabs trying to pull the knob apart, so I might end up replacing the entire thing later anyway. I didn't want to wait weeks for it from china, so I paid extra to get it from somewhere in the US. I just got the car, and am too excited to wait . Thanks for the good info regardles!!!

How did you get on with that ribbon you bought? Did it work and is it still working? Cheers.

p.rico · Mar 20, 2023

I know you're asking about the Amazon seller, but:

I bought a pack of ten of these from Amazon (U.S.) for 7.50 USD.
(MECCANIXITY FFC FPC Flat Flexible Cable, 8 Pin 0.5mm Pitch 300mm Long (A Type) for LCD 3D Printer Camera DVD TV Laptop Audio Pack of 10; https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09R98YVMC?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_9QEMKVFJPVK90M1S3JXQ)

I replaced this cable back in March 2022. Zero issues a year later. There's enough length and flex that it doesn't bind up anymore.

Shift knob gear indicator LED not working - 2013 S60 RD

Squintz82

vroomr

Squintz82

dianma

dianma

@ChristopherMcG

Max Glazer

billqueenis

p.rico

KLEPTOROTH

0151660093 Molex | Cable Assemblies | DigiKey

KLEPTOROTH

Max Glazer

KLEPTOROTH

p.rico

KLEPTOROTH

Flying Tomato

p.rico

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