I've got a 1999 A6 2.8 Quattro with Automatic transmission. Car has 143K miles on it. Just recently, as it started getting colder here in NJ, I have been unable to shift the car out of park. After a few tries and moving it around a bit, I am able to get it into drive. Once the car is warmed up, it seems to shift smoothy? What could this be?

PS..I just took the car into a private mechanic for new front axles, tie rods and upper and lower control arms, and he said the shift problem could have something to do with the linkage and that I should take it into Audi? What does this mean?

Thanks for your help-

 

I'm not sure if Audi uses the same shift interlock device Volvo and others use, but this was a common problem in Volvos. There is a little electromagnetic lock that is blocking you from shifting the car out of park until you put your foot on the break. Then the brake light sensor tells the magnet to release and you can put the car in to R D N. When these magnets or brake light switch fail, you are unable to shift the car. In Volvo there was a button next to the shifter to manually unlock it when this happens, unfortunately, Audi did not put one in so I don't think you can manually unlock it. I don't know what to tell you on how to fix this yourself. If you have a bentley manual it might be of assistance.

Jeff

 

Jeff, thanks for your help. Can anybody else confirm this? Any other ideas out there?

 

press the break peddle with the ignition on, jeff is correct

 

I've been doing a little research online. Is it possible that this is due to a faulty brake light switch?

 

that would do it mate