Automatic shift Lock

[jv38]

Hello.

I'm new to this forum. I need some help regarding a problem that I have with my VW Golf.

I own a 1997 VW Golf III four doors automatic transmission. The car has 112,000 miles.

Normally the service to the car is done by the dealer including all oil changes.

I understand that the car have an Automatic Shift Lock, that do not allows the car to move the shift out of Parking if you are not pressing the brake.

I haven't been able to move the shift lever out of P(ARKING). For some reason the shift lever gets lock on Parking and nothing I do unlock it.

I've been looking for information on that on a repair manual but no success.

I need some help on this. At least I need to unlock it so I can take it to the dealer for a repair.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

Jose Lopez

(EDITED to add information found)

I found the following response in another thread. I'm adding this too my previous thread for future reference.

Your brakelight switch can be the cause of both of your problems. Replace it and erase the EPC fault and reset readiness codes and you will be fine.

VW does not have a shift release interlock. What I do at the shop is turn the key forward, as the light come on, back the swtich slowly till they go out again, now the shifter will be free, what you need to do is start the car with the shift slightly off drive and nuetral or reverse and nuetral, then as the car starts shift it into drive or reverse, once in gear you can shift back to drive as long as you do this very quickly, the interlock will not have time to reenguage

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Try putting a little grease on the brake light switch, located at the top of the brake pedal arm, under the dash. If the plunger on that switch sticks, your lock on the shifter will not release and our brake lights won't work either. Or you can take it to Clear Lake VW and they can charge you $570 It's your choice. Clear Lake VW loves to screw people.