I have been having a problem with my 2000 A6 quattro automatic. Occassionally after starting the car, but before putting it in gear, the entire gear indicator block is highlighted, instead of only the P. I am talking about the gear indicators in on the LCD obviously. When I put the car in reverse, it engages the gear very hard, lifewise, when I put it in drive, it engages so forcefuilly the car "klunks" into gear. The car drives as if it is in 3rd gear, and does not shift into any other gear. Sometimes I can drive it a block, turn it off, turn it back on, and the problem goes away, but lately it is staying this way.

The dealer says it is a faulty switch; some kind of safe mode switch. It is conveniently located in the middle of the transmission, so they need to take the whole thing out to fix it.

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this.