Just a thought for those that disconnected the solenoid and still having probs. I had a hard time getting mine to shift from park and I also have had extremely hard second gear shifts for some time. I ordered a new trans mount and just replaced it today. When I got under the car, I was surprised to see a poly bushing in there! Replaced it and not only does it shift much better, it goes from P to D much better now. What I figured was that the poly bushing sits a little lower in profile than the new one. I had to jack up the trans to get the brace bolted up. I think that the trans is sagging a little making it hard to shift from Park. Maybe I am off, but it fixed my problems for sure.

Jim

It won't cause a trouble code. It's not connected to the computer. It is there as a safety feature to keep the shift lever from being moved out of gear unless someone intends to drive the car.

Re: A4 car won't shift out of park after sitting...not trans, it's the shifter
 

I was able to loosen the console plate over the shifter just a couple inches, it seems to be hung up on the front part of the plate. I was able to lift up the ashtray some and saw the exact thing as the picture in the 4th post of this thread. Where is the plug-in that you unplug. Is it in that picture on the fourth post?
Thanks, my cars been sitting for over a year with this problem.:mad:

Re: A4 car won't shift out of park after sitting...not trans, it's the shifter
 

Thanks for the info guys....I just spent 10 mins trying to get my '95 Z outa park. I will try that removing ashtray & lifting cable tomorrow & see if it works.:)

Re: A4 car won't shift out of park after sitting...not trans, it's the shifter
 

Worked like a charm. I just lifted ashtray out, touched that black cable thing & the shift button went right in. Thanks guys!:)
Shoebox...your site rocks!

Re: A4 car won't shift out of park after sitting...not trans, it's the shifter
 

Always nice to have a little success now and then. :)