Transmission mode selector switch perhaps. I dunno, just saying. The mode switch is the electrical switch that actually tells the VX what selection the shifter is in. Its a known point of failure due to its location at a high temperature point on the side of the transmission. It gets brought up often for a myriad of transmission problems.
But imagine this scenario: The faulty, dirty or wet and shorting internals of the switch still thinks you are in Drive (or any other mode) when in fact the shifter is in Park position. I can imagine such a condition could prevent the ignition interlock from releasing the key.
Yeah its a remote possibility, but a possibility nonetheless. I had a Volvo at one time that had a similar issue with the same symptoms. The ignition lock would not give up the key no matter what position of the shifter. It was the neutral safety switch in the Volvo, and as i understand it, the Mode Switch in the VX provides that same functionality. In the Volvo, I simply bypassed the switch (hey it was a $300 car) and was able to remove the key no matter what position the shifter was in.
Unfortunately you cannot simply bypass the Transmission Mode Switch in the VX. As I understand it, it provides the safety switch functions as well as signaling other shifter modes. You can only clean out its guts or replace it. Its just a much more complex unit than the one-function switch in my 1970's Volvo. Fairly simple to replace tho, and not TOO spendy. Opening it up and cleaning it has been done too, and is documented on this site.
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