Stuck in PARK again!

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Last year my wife got stuck at the mall because her VW Beetle wouldn't come out of PARK. I went after her, and I couldn't get it to work either. I called Clear Lake Volkswagen on the cell phone, and they told me to turn the key while pulling on the shifter, and sure enough it worked. I drove it to the dealership and left it for repairs. Little more than an hour later, they had it fixed and presented me with a $570 bill! I nearly croaked! What could I do? I was in a bind, and they had me. A year has passed, and the dang thing has stuck again! Exact same problem as before. This time it happened in my garage. I did the key/tug trick again and it worked. This time I tore into it, and found out the brake light switch under the dash was stuck. It has a plunger that wouldn't move, so I pulled it out and greased it. Works fine now, and so does the transmission lock out . Makes me believe the dealership really screwed me now. I would bet anything that they did the same thing to fix it that I did. If anyone else has this transmission lock out problem, just reach under the dash near the brake pedal arm, feel the brake light switch and pull the plunger out. That will get you going until you can get to some grease! Grease it every year! Avoid Clear Lake VW

[JackDaniels386]

theres a recall for that. you have to look and see what color your brakelight switch is, if its black, you have to get it switched to a purple one. if its purple, youre fine.

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Oh it's probably black because it is still causing problems. Sometimes it sticks, and sometimes it doesn't. I called Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987. They took my information, found my car, and said there was no recall for the brake light switch. The man acted like MAYBE if I take it in again, that they MIGHT make it good. The only way I'll feel better is if I get the $570 back that Clear Lake VW hosed me out of. I feel quiet certain I can get up under the dash and change the switch out myself. You can probably get one at Auto Zone, and for sure on Ebay. I just don't see how you can get on the internet and hear about people all over the country having the same problem as me, and Volkswagen acts oblivious to it. Volkswagen USA just says each dealership is an independent outfit, and VW USA has no control over them. So pretty much they are saying they will allow a dealership to do whatever they want with their cars. Isn't that encouraging!

[veedubmechanic]

new brake light switch from vw is about 13.00

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I wonder how Clear Lake VW in Houston, Texas gets off charging me nearly 200 bucks plus labor of 370 dollars. I'm telling you they charged $570 and probably just greased my brake light switch. That picture of a new Beetle with the running gear already pulled out is real encouraging too. I'm really thinking about steping out of this thing.

[91celicaFB]

lol, i work at the toyota dealership and a old guy came in for an oil change cuz vw dealership charges like 90 bucks... but anyways, i drove it to the express lube garage and noticed that you dont have to press the brake for it to shift out of park... i thought that was kinda weird...
maybe he broke that sob~