Expert: Sean Halliday - 9/10/2006

Question
I have a problem that you may or may not know the answer to. I have an automatic 2002 VW Jetta that, now, will not come out of PARK. The car worked fine this morning, i went to the store, and got stranded there. I tried locking/unlocking the doors and rolling up/down the windows and it FINALLY let me get out of reverse after trying everything i coud think of for an hour.... Got the car home, and now its doing the same thing. My car has done this one other time, but other than this, everything else with it is normal. i had no signs of anything going wrong, it just wont come out of park! ANY SUGGESTIONS or ADVICE?

Answer
Most newer cars have this safety switch which only allows the shift when you put your foot on the brake and pull it into gear.Its a switch on your brake pedal and it may also be the neutral safety switch on the transmission itself.So its a trip to the shop im afraid.Its most likely the one on the pedal as the neutral safety only allows the car to start when its in neutral or park.So thats where to look,,, on your brake pedal.