Passat-04 hard shifting from P to R(or D).

[TIN]

When starting my Passat 2004 Wagon with tiptronic shift (I mostly use automatic), sometimes it's very hard to switch from Park to Reverse (or to Drive). The car has only 7.3K miles. It requires significant amount of effort, plus it causes a clicking noise. It's definitely not normal. Please, advise, how serious can that be and what should I ask the dealership to do.

Thank a lot in advance.

[veedubmechanic]

might be the shift lock solenoid. does the green light on the shifter go out when you try to shift out of park?

[TIN]

Thanks for the thought! Now I know what to ask the dealership to look at.

Which light should I look at. There is no weird light on the light panel, I can look more carefully at the lights next to the shifter itself.

How common is this problem for VW PASSAT 2004?

[veedubmechanic]

its more common on the jetta/golf.
the shift lock solenoid on the shifter (part that doesnt allow you to shift out of park w.o applying the brake) has different metal compositions and in colder climates the inner coil expands faster than the outer and gets stuck till the car warms up in the cabin. But also a faulty brake light switch would cause this to happen also.