Can't get Jetta out of PARK

[bali]

Curious...can anyone relate? Started Jetta but could not get it out of park. Didn't matter how hard I pressed the brake pedal, the selector lever did not move out of park and into drive, or anything else. Apparently the brake lights weren't working either. So tow truck driver lifted, and lowered the car...it seemed to do the trick: I was able to drive it to the dealership. Question: what caused this problem...dealership said something about changing the brake light switch. Has anyone else experienced this problem? If so, were your problems resolved?

[boschmann]

It's a common problem, it's called the shift interlock. Prevents shifting into gear without your foot pressing the brake. If the switch fails it doesn't know you're on the brake & won't let you into gear (the same switch operates the brake lights).

[Mousie808]

Hey!
My '99 Jetta VR6 does the same thing. I had to take mine in about 5-6 months ago and now it's doing it again. If you have the same car as me, the service shop told me to get it to go into gear you can open the fuse panel and pull out the middle fuse on the first row of the bigger fuses. It should have a 20 on it. Once you get it in gear you need to replace it. Your car also needs to be running when you do this. It's a pain and I need to get it checked again. Also if anyone else know what the symbols on the fuse card mean could you let me know? I pulled out the wrong fuse in the dark and I don't know where it needs to go.