my car when i sit in it turn the key the dash goes to the D.

Asked by Dino Feb 11, 2019 at 10:53 AM about the 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio 2 Dr GL Convertible

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

it wont start even though the
console is in P or N but dash
shows D

2 Answers

110

I had this happen once! Looked under the hood and the little round plastic ball looking joint had popped out of the shifter moving arm. Look there, driver’s side down at the end of the arm. If not the problem, see if you can bypass the safety switch that keeps you from starting unless in Park, you can start in Neutral at least if you can in fact bypass it. Your car thinks it’s in Drive, because possibly it truly is and it only looks as if in P or N on your gear selector or possible sensor is bad saying you’re in D when not. Linkage bad another possibility. Let us know please what it is you find out

110

I came across a post where someone removed the plastic cover over the gear shift selector and bypassed the safety switch. You may need to check there as well.

Your Answer:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Mike Bonnell
    Reputation
    1,350
  • #2
    annoymous1234
    Reputation
    1,020
  • #3
    Fkpeach
    Reputation
    920
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.