I have a 2004 Passat and just recently have had a problem with my shift lever sticking in park. When I start the car either cold or warm, I have to push the button on the side of the handle in and jiggle the lever to get it to move into a gear. Once I'm in gear, it freely moves to all gears as usual, but if I move it back into park, itsticks and I have to do the whole ritual all over again. What can I do tofix it? I live in Florida and at present I'm in New York State without my dealer being close by.

Waldo358

 

There were other posts on the forum that helped me with the problem. I turned the ignition key halfway so that the radio came on. Next I was able to move the shifter into neutral, put my foot on the brake, and start the car. The shifter moved back and forth without having a problem. I'll be able to return to Florida and have the dealer's service department replace the shifter lock solenoid and the problem will be solved.

Thanks to help of this forum, I avoided a very unpleasant situation.

Waldo358