KC Vetterli

Had my 2008 cayenne towed yesterday after electrical problem wouldn’t start car. Both the steering wheel and transmission were locked. Tow driver did something under the car to disengage transmission so it would roll while loading onto truck. After delivery, I saw him slide under car again to supposedly reconnect it (using no tools). I was able to start the car finally, but now I can’t drive. It does shift now, but when I rev the engine in any gear, it revs just like I’m in park. Looking for any guidance before I slide under there to take a look. Had to have it towed more than 25 miles so unsure about getting driver back up to fix it.

DWPC

Considering what they probably charged you (or your insurance carrier) for a 25 mile tow, I wouldn't hesitate to insist they come back and check they're work.

deilenberger

Was it towed or flatbedded?

I believe towing is a BAD thing since the transmission is spinning with no transmission fluid being pumped through it. No output side AT pump. That's why flat-bed is recommended.

DWPC

Agree. I assume it rode on a flatbed; he said "loaded onto the truck". It's been a long tome since I've seen a "tow" truck with a hook, except for those monsters that tow big rigs.

KC Vetterli

It was flat bed. He released the park lock from under the car to pull it up onto the flat bed and then to unload and push it a few feet into place

SoCal911t

It sounds like he removed the shifter cable from the transmission selector shaft to manually put it neutral by hand and then didn't hook it back up.


BTW, here's the easier way:


Pelican how-to

KC Vetterli

I’ve been under the car and everything appears connected. What is weird is that the vehicle is permanently stuck in park. No matter what the gear selector says, I cannot roll the vehicle in any gear, neutral included. I opened the console and tried the manual level to shift into neural with same results.

KC Vetterli

Tow driver sent this photo of what he disconnected and my photo of what I see under the vehicle

slavie

Sounds like you need to check whether the shifter is still connected to the transmission. When you move the shift lever, does the other side on the transmission move as well? Also, does the shifter lever feel normal, or is it lighter to move than it used to be?

Petza914

There is a recall coming on a coupling that breaks, allowing the transmission shifter to be moved without the transmission itself actually changing inside. The recall is the result of people shifting the lever into park, but the car not being in park, and rolling away. Sounds like it's possible this piece is broken on your car, but yours broke with it in Park instead of Drive

KC Vetterli

Thanks. It “seems” to shift too easily from P->D. Going from D->P, there is a catch between R and P which takes more muscle to pass through than ever before

KC Vetterli

Thank you very much. I will call dealer tomorrow to inquire about recall.

KC Vetterli

I believe I have located the problem and letting any interested parties know for future reference. I believe an E Clip is required to hold the shifter cable in place to bracket connected on transmission. Circled in red in photo is where missing E clip belongs. I can’t close out the thread until final verification when I get a clip in hand to finalize.

deilenberger

I can certainly see a shadow of an E-clip..

kadn33

Seems to be item 12 in the drawing:






I've found in google this is a generic VW part and differs a bit from an e-clip:

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C...mg.9wXNrrM2zik

Regards,