Shift Lock System
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Joined: Mar 2001
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Shift Lock System
I recently tried to disable the shift lock system on the transmission by removing the power connections on the brake switch. (I find this lock extremely dangerous for my driving style by not allowing me to shift into or out of gear fast enough when stopped or slightly moving in neutral,in emergency situations.) This solution worked fine for a while but after a few miles of driving the ABS and ESP lights came on and stayed on until shutting off the car and restarting again when the conditions would be repeated. Also every once in a while the parking lights would start flashing as if when the alarm goes off. I had to reconnect the wiring to the brake switch to get everything back to normal. The next thing I want to try is to disconnect the system directly at the plunger that locks the shift lever. Anybody has an idea of how to do this or have done it before? I cannot get the service manual on the car for reference until later at the end of the year as indicated by the publishers.
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Joined: Oct 2000
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I wouldn't do it...
You don't say what year the car is, but my '01 came from the factory with the brake light switch not sensitive enough. The dealer adjusted it but overshot and made it too sensitive.
The net effect was that the shift lock was completely disabled, but acceleration was dangerously bad from standing starts. I don't have service manuals, but some on this forum (and the service manager) suggested that this misadjustment was interpreted by the ECU as "foot on brake pedal".
Audi's are also known for "finicky" electronics. Simply disconnecting the switch could screw up other components on that circuit (impedance changes etc.).
The engine and transmission controls are completely computer controlled, and something that would be trivial to do with mechanical controls could have unintended consequences with computer controls.
The net effect was that the shift lock was completely disabled, but acceleration was dangerously bad from standing starts. I don't have service manuals, but some on this forum (and the service manager) suggested that this misadjustment was interpreted by the ECU as "foot on brake pedal".
Audi's are also known for "finicky" electronics. Simply disconnecting the switch could screw up other components on that circuit (impedance changes etc.).
The engine and transmission controls are completely computer controlled, and something that would be trivial to do with mechanical controls could have unintended consequences with computer controls.
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