2001 Beetle will not shift out of "PARK"

[minnwinn]

Hey,

I have a 2001 Beetle with automatic transmission and it will not shift out of park. This problem happened now and then, but when I pump the brakes it works and allows me to put it in gear. Now is is completely stuck and I can not get it out of park. I think somehow it is related to the brakes. (some kind of senor not allowing the auto trans to shift out of park?

Please help!!!!!

Thanks,
M

[bobby28384]

I have an Audi that works the same way. It wont let you put it in drive without the brake engaged. If it doesn't work, you should call the VW dealership and tell them about it. If you have a 4 yr warranty (I do, dunno about VW) they can have someone tow it to be fixed. It should not hopefully cost you anything except time. Good luck!

[irishlibra73]

Hi!

I have a 2002 Beetle, and just had the same problem about 2 months ago. I had to take it into the dealership, and they repaired it within a few hours. There is a brake locking mechanism or switch that has gone bad. It is supposed to disengage when you hit the brake to switch gears from park.

Also, if you haven't had your windows replaced with metal clips yet, do it at the same time. Everyone I know who has a VW the same year as us (anything prior to 2003) has had to have their windows replaced. VW used plastic clips inside the window mechanism until the 2003 models.

Molly ;-)

[pirtle]

What did the dealership do to fix it? A friend has the same problem and I'm guessing it's a bad relay. A 3rd of the time you hear the "click" and the shifter will then move normally.

[HeirMuench]

I would suggest contacting your Volkswagen dealer. Volkswagen just came out with a recall on the brake light switches, and not sure if your vehicle is on that list, but I think so

[hoede]

this is usually an easy fix this happened to my wife a few days ago. if you look up under your dash you can see the switch. i cleaned the old grease off of it and put new grease on it and it works fine.

[JUSBUGN]

take to dealership there is a recall they are replacing ALL switches that control the shifter even in manual models.... FREE!!!!!

[scotttt]

Happened to my gf's 2002 beetle last weekend. I figured out something that worked for me every time. underneath by the pedals, there is a panel that covers the whole underside by the pedals. take that panel off so that you can get to where the brake pedal leads up too. there is a plug with a whole bunch of different colored wires going into the back of the arm to the pedal. UNPLUG THAT AND PLUG IT BACK IN. then start car and pull it out of park. and drive to dealership. Once you turn car off you are going to have to unplug and then plug it back in. This is the only thing that worked for us until we got it too the dealership where they did the PARKING THINGY RECALL, WINDOW RECALL and OIL CHANGE all in a couple of hours. No charge except for the oil change of course. Hope this helps. it should.