02 Passat shifts to neutral, but wont go into drive
 

As mentioned, the car will shift down to neutral, but wont go further. When its running, reverse is fine, neutral is fine, stepping on the brake works fine to release the shifter out of park, it just wont go into drive. Feels like it wants to go, but will snap something if I force it. ( freakin plastic parts..ahh gotta luv German engineering )
Some stats, 2002 Passat, 1.8T, automatic.
I took the center console out, ( what a freaking job that was..) and am able to look down onto the shifter insides, dont see anything like an obstruction, or a broken piece of plastic. Just had it towed to a tranny shop I have used before, so waiting on a diagnoses. I've seen hundreds of posts on the shifter stuck in park, but not this. Any ideas? Any help will be greatly appreciated.