Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Selector Mechanism, Checking
Overview:
- Check the selector mechanism functionality SELECTOR MECHANISM, CHECKING
- Check ignition key withdrawal lock SELECTOR MECHANISM, CHECKING
- Check the locking button in the selector lever handle SELECTOR MECHANISM, CHECKING
Refer to SELECTOR MECHANISM, CHECKING
- The starter does not work when the selector lever is in "S", "D", "R" or in the "tiptronic gate".
- If selector lever position "N" is selected at speeds greater than 5 km/h, the shift lock solenoid must not engage and block the selector lever. The selector lever can be moved into a another gear.
- For speeds below 2 km/h (almost standstill) and shifting into selector lever position "N", the shift lock solenoid must only engage after approximately 1 second. The selector lever can be move out of "N" only when the brake pedal is pressed.
Selector lever in "P" and the ignition turned on:
-- Do not press the brake pedal.
- The selector lever is locked and cannot be moved out of "P" while locking button on selector lever handle is pressed. The Shift Lock Solenoid -N110- locks the selector lever.
-- Press the brake pedal and hold it down.
- The Shift Lock Solenoid -N110- unlocks the selector lever. It is possible to shift into a gear. Press the locking button in the selector lever handle and slowly move the selector lever out of "P" through "R, N, D, S". While doing this, make sure the Transmission Range Display -Y6- inside the instrument cluster matches the actual position of the selector lever.
The selector lever is in "N" and the ignition is turned on:
-- Do not press the brake pedal.
- After a brief moment: The selector lever is locked and cannot be moved out of "N" even though the locking button in the selector lever handle is pressed. The Shift Lock Solenoid -N110- locks the selector lever.
-- Press the brake pedal.
- The Shift Lock Solenoid -N110- unlocks the selector lever. It is possible to shift into "D".
Selector lever in "D" and the ignition is on:
-- Move the selector lever into the "tiptronic gate".
- The "D" in the Selector Lever Transmission Range Position Display Unit -Y26- must turn off and the "+" and "-" must turn on.
- The Transmission Range Display -Y6- inside the instrument cluster must change from "PRNDS" to "654321" when the selector lever is moved into the "tiptronic gate".
If the specified values are not obtained:
-- Carry out "Guided Fault Finding" with the Vehicle Diagnostic Tester.
-- Adjust the selector lever cable: vehicles through 11.2005. Refer to SELECTOR LEVER CABLE, ADJUSTING , vehicles from 11.2005 SELECTOR LEVER CABLE, ADJUSTING .
-- Selector lever handle locking button, checking. Refer to SELECTOR MECHANISM, CHECKING
-- Check ignition key removal lock.
Refer to SELECTOR MECHANISM, CHECKING
-- To reach "ignition on", turn the key to right.
-- Press the brake pedal and hold it down.
- It must be possible to move the selector lever out of "P" without "getting stuck" when the locking button in the selector lever handle is pressed.
-- Turn off the ignition.
- It should not be possible to remove the ignition key when the selector lever is in any other position than "P".
-- Move the selector lever into "P".
-- Remove ignition key.
- It should be possible to remove the key only when the selector lever is in "P".
- It is not possible to move the selector lever out of "P" when both the locking button and the brake pedal are pressed.
If the ignition key lock does not work as described, check the vehicle with the Vehicle Diagnostic Tester in "Guided Fault Finding" .
Refer to SELECTOR MECHANISM, CHECKING
Make sure locking button moves easily.
- It must be possible to press the locking button without using great force.
- After releasing, the locking button must come all the way back out by itself.
If the specified values are not obtained:
-- Make sure the selector lever handle is installed correctly: Refer to SELECTOR LEVER HANDLE , SELECTOR LEVER HANDLE .
-- Check whether selector rod or selector lever is bent.
Function test:
- The ignition is switched on.
Locking button on selector lever handle must be pressed for the following shifts. If it is not pressed, the selector lever cannot be shifted into the specified position.
- Move the selector lever from "P" into "R" and press the brake pedal at the same time.
- "D" into "S"
- "N" into "R" ; stationary, press the brake pedal after waiting longer
- "R" into "P"
If the specified values are not obtained:
-- Make sure the selector lever handle is installed correctly: vehicle through 11.2005 SELECTOR LEVER HANDLE , vehicles from 11.2005 SELECTOR LEVER HANDLE .
-- Perform "Guided Fault Finding" using the Vehicle Diagnostic Tester and check the Shift Lock Solenoid -N110-.
-- Adjust the selector lever cable. Refer to SELECTOR LEVER CABLE, ADJUSTING , SELECTOR LEVER CABLE, ADJUSTING .
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.