Problem putting my A4 in drive
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 328
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From: San Tan Valley Arizona
Problem putting my A4 in drive
I have a 98 A4 that is giving me trouble putting in gear. I'll get in the car start it up and push the button on the shifter to go into Drive but it doesn't engage. I have to push the button a couple times and push the shifter back and forth to get it to move. This problem just started and I couldn't find anything searching past threads. ANyone encounter this problem or know what can be the cause? Thanks in advance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
Likes: 8
From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
I have a 98 A4 that is giving me trouble putting in gear. I'll get in the car start it up and push the button on the shifter to go into Drive but it doesn't engage. I have to push the button a couple times and push the shifter back and forth to get it to move. This problem just started and I couldn't find anything searching past threads. ANyone encounter this problem or know what can be the cause? Thanks in advance.
Are you saying that you put it in "D" and the engine revs without the car moving?
If so, put it in Drive rev the engine 5 or 6 times and see if the car starts to roll and if it does then you may be low on fluid, if it fails to roll at all until you work the shifter back and forth from "N" to "3" and finally to "D" then you may either have a bad shift cable, it could have slipped out of adjustment or worst case scenario, you could have internal transmission problems.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
Likes: 8
From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
OK, there is an electric solenoid on the shifter, remove the shift plate and you'll see it. With the shift plate removed, start the car and step on the brake pedal, then watch that solenoid to see if it deenergizes, if not then it most likely needs to be replaced or you can do like some people have done and just disconnect the pushrod from it and be done.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 38
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From: Shafer Minnesota
automatic not going into gear
I have a similar problem. When in park, I sometimes have a difficult time shifting into neutral to get to drive. I have to use abnormal pressure for it to move. I have not checked it out yet but plan to this winter.
