FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
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Shift Interlock Solenoid: Testing and Inspection






Selector Mechanism and Ignition Key Withdrawal Lock, Checking

Proceed as follows:

If selector lever is in S, D, R or Tiptronic position, starter cannot be operated.

If vehicle is rolling faster than 5 km/h and selector lever is shifted to N, the selector lever lock solenoid must not engage and block selector lever. Selector lever can be shifted into driving gear.

If vehicle is rolling at speeds less than 5 km/h (almost still) and selector lever is shifted to N, the selector lever lock solenoid may only engage after a second. The selector lever can only be shifted out of N when brake pedal is pressed.

Selector lever in P position, ignition switched off:

The ignition key can be removed.

Selector lever out of P position, ignition switched off:

The ignition key cannot be removed.

Selector lever in position P, button on selector lever pressed and ignition switched on:

Brake pedal not pressed:

With button pressed, selector lever is locked and cannot be shifted out of position P. Shift lock solenoid blocks selector lever.

Brake pedal pressed:

The selector lever lock solenoid releases selector lever, a driving gear can be engaged. Shift selector lever slowly through from P through R, N, D, S; while doing this check whether selector lever position in instrument cluster matches the selector lever position.

Selector lever in position n, button on selector lever pressed and ignition switched on:

Brake pedal not pressed:



Selector lever is locked and cannot be shifted out of N position. Shift lock solenoid blocks selector lever.

Brake pedal pressed:

The selector lever lock solenoid releases selector lever, a driving gear can be engaged.

If the brake pedal is pressed, it is possible to shift from N to D without pressing button on selector lever.

If shifting from N to R position is desired, selector lever button must also be pressed.

Selector lever in position D, ignition switched on:

Selector lever is locked and cannot be shifted from position D position to S.

Push button on selector lever:

The selector lever is released and can be shifted from D position to S.

Selector lever in D position, ignition and lights switched on:

Move selector lever into Tiptronic gate:

The illumination of D symbol in selector lever display must go out, and + and - symbols must light up.

When shifting selector lever into Tiptronic gate, the Transmission Range (TR) Display in the instrument cluster must change from PRNDS to 654321.

Shift selector lever in Tiptronic gate to + and -:

When shifting selector lever to + or -, the 654321 display in the instrument cluster must move up/down one gear (display changes).

- If selector mechanism or ignition key withdrawal lock does not function as described, connect Vehicle Diagnosis, Testing and Information System (VAS 5051B).

- Check DTC memory - complete system, if necessary, determine malfunction in guided fault finding and correct