1997 Volvo GLT850 Tracks light remains on, can't get out of park without using override.I think it's the sensor but don't know how to replace.

Check your owners manual, most have a way to override the park lock out system. Also check your brake lights, if they are not working the part lock will not disengage.

Your car will not start unless it is in PARK. The reason you had to use the override switch is because the start safety circuit is dead - or more likely - the car battery is dead / has poor connections. As long as you were running the engine, the alternator was powering the car.

Put the car back into PARK. Jump start the car and it should be drivable for a short time anyway - do not drive at night as you'll need lights. Use only the accessories needed (no lights, fan, A/C, radio, etc.) and get to a shop that can test your battery & fix poor connections or replace it if needed. Otherwise, you're going to be stuck wherever your shut it off.

If the battery needs to be replaced and the connections are OK, you should be OK. If the connections are good - but the battery was bad and you had no indication of a problem previously (hard to start, etc.) - you may have something left on in your car draining the battery. Find it and shut it off!

Good luck!

In time it might . it has a override for a reason.so i do think it would hurt it any .you should still have it looked at .

There is a brake switch located underneath the drivers side on the back of the brake pedal if this is failing you will not be able to shift from park without the shift override.

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WTF is the manual override??????

This could be due to the carbon brushes in the alternator, which may need replacing.
You should be able to see quite quickly, by removing the couple of screws which hold the small housing, on the back of the alternator.
Good luck with that.

Your problem is at your key. The switch in the steering colmb is cracked or worn out. When it happens, try rotating the key counter clockwise just a little bit and watch everything start to work.
Good Luck,
Tim

beneath the knob to turn on the lights, there is a small screw to turn lights completely OFF. see the owners manual to do this...if it is not in the right place, it can cause battery drain. You need a very small flat head screwdriver to change this position, but I've used one for eyeglasses successfully. Hope this helps.

Try a little wd 40.My T5 wouldn't let the key go when engaging PARK.A few squirts of wd 40 down the shift mechs solved the problem