jettanut

I have a 95 Passat GLX with the VR6 and autotrans. The shifter moves and the linkage is turning the shaft going into the top of the tranny but nothing happens. No change in rpm, no clunk when the transmission shifts into gear or anything! It was working just fine, drove to work, parked all day, started the engine to go home and it just sat there. You can't even push it because the front wheels are locked like it is in park. The car just turned 100,000 and has been taken care of and never driven hard. Can anyone give me some info as to what the problem is?

I asked a tech at the local VW dealer about it and he said "If the wheels are locked then the problem is in the differencial gears" I then asked if it was the diff. wouldn't the transmission try to engage? He remembered something he had to do and walked away.

Mr Vegas

I don't have much experience with early passats but i'll try and help you.This maybe the inhibitor switch for the trans(i can't be certain if yours has one)this switch works when you press the selector button in on the trans lever to not allow the gears to slip into each other and also to lock the vehicle in park.
I'm not to sure where it's located but maybe part of a multi-function switch on the trans-look at the top of the trans to see if any electrical plugs have come off.Also look to see if the selector lever is still attached at the trans.
It's unlikely for you trans to pack up completely without any warning unless it's been leaking,but as you say it's been looked after.