Locked Gears

[nickmgray]

My wife just called me to tell me that she can't drive her 2001 Jetta because the gears are locked in "P" She said she turned on the car and tried to shirf down to reverse, but nothing would move.

Before I have her car towed from her job (I have about 4 hours) I was wondering if anyone has had this happen to them in the past. Is there something that can be done or do I have to have it towed to the repair shop?

[texasjettaowner]

I have my daughter trained on this one... Right underneath the steering column is a the Brake Light switch. This is a famous weak point of VW. You will be able to feel the button for the switch normally the switch is blue. Press in the button and let it snap back 3 or 4 times. Then when you get it to work get a new on from VW about $10-$15 (low price due to high sales). They have seen me so much on this one they normally give me one for free (My last one has lasted me over 5 months now). If this does not work you can try to shift out of park while turning the key to the on postion. Once you get it to "N" you can start it and move it.

[dangermon]

I wish I had read this before I went to the dealer. It cost me $100 bucks and most of that was from labor filling out paper work for VW.... Boycott Lewisville, Texas VW.... they are cheats!... I'm mad now... they told me they had to remove panels to replace this part. Damn. Oh well, at least it is fixed.

[veedubmechanic]

#1 you do have to remove pannels to replace the switch.
#2 dealer labor rate must be cheap there because its 110/hr here
#3 vw is coming out with another brake light switch recall so keep your reciept and you "may be re-imbursed" =)