2001 Jetta problems = temperature gauges + shifter bunch up

I have a 2001 Jetta and it seems the all the lights below the radio for my climate control are out. Also, the plastic material that fits around the gear shift is getting bunch up making it almost impossible to go into the lower gears. Anyone know what I'm talking about?

[I had the same problem with the shifter in my 2001 2.0 jetta automatic..

The rubber strip that is bunching up > Do this... put shifter in park and lift the rubber strip up from part on the shifter by d1 and pull it all the way out and lay it flat ... The get a hair dryer and hit it with some heat to get the wrinkles out and let it cool for a second and then use like a very small flat head screw driver and carefully fit the rubber piece back into the shifter there is 2 grooves that the rubber piece slides back into place with once thats back in then start car and work shifter forward and back slowly and your done!!
Good luck and I hope this helps!
Chris Iacovetti