Servicing gear change mechanism — VW
Servicing gear change mechanism on VW: factory workshop procedure. Full factory text, tools and checks.
Workshop procedure for VW — the factory write-up, straight from real workshop data.
📋 Procedure
Warning!
Before working on engine when it is running, move selector lever into position "P" and apply handbrake.
There are vehicles with/without ignition key removal lock and from 07.99 the selector mechanism has been modified. The selector mechanism check has not been changed and is therefore described first -valid for all vehicles-.
Checking selector mechanism
Selector lever in "P" position and ignition switched on:
Brake pedal not depressed:
Selector lever is locked and cannot be shifted out of "P" position. Solenoid for selector lever lock blocks selector lever.
Brake pedal depressed:
Solenoid for selector lever lock releases selector lever. It is possible to shift into a driving gear.
Selector lever in "N" position and ignition switched on:
Brake pedal not depressed:
Selector lever is locked and cannot be shifted out of "N" position. Solenoid for selector lever lock blocks selector lever.
Brake pedal depressed:
Solenoid for selector lever lock releases selector lever. It is possible to shift into a driving gear.
The starter must not operate in the selector lever positions "1", "2", "3", "D" and "R".
On right-hand drive vehicles the starter must only operate in selector lever positions "P" and "N" when the locking button in the selector lever handle is not pressed.
When travelling at speeds above 5 km/h and shifting into selector lever position "N", solenoid for selector lever lock must not engage and block selector lever. Selector lever can be shifted into a driving gear.
When travelling at speeds below 5 km/h (almost stopped) and shifting into selector lever position "N", solenoid for selector lever lock must not engage until after approx. 1 sec. Selector lever cannot be shifted out of "N" position until brake pedal is depressed.
Checking function of ignition key removal lock
Start
↓
↓ · ← · ← · ← · ← · ← · ← · ← · ← · ← · ← · ↑
↓ · ↑
- Move selector lever to "P" / Switch off ignition / Withdraw ignition key · Selector lever mechanism faulty or / steering lock faulty / Replace defective parts
↓ · ↑
↓ · No
↓ · ↑
Can selector lever be moved · ⇒ · Yes · ⇒ · Adjustment of locking · ⇒ · Yes · ⇒ · - Correct adjustment
out of "P" with button depressed? · cable incorrect? · => Page 37-25
↓ · ↑
No · ↑
↓ · ↑
↓ · ↑
↓ · ↑
↓ · ↑
↓ · ↑
↓ · ↑
- Depress brake pedal / Insert ignition key / Switch on ignition · ↑ / ↑ / ↑
↓ · ↑
Can selector lever be moved · ⇒ · ⇒ · No · ⇒ · ↑
out of "P" with button depressed? · ↑
↓ · ↑
Yes · ↑
↓ · ↑
- It must be possible to move selector lever into "R, N, D, 3, 2 or 1" · ↑ / ↑
↓ · ↑
Can ignition key be withdrawn? · ⇒ · ⇒ · Yes · ⇒ · ⇒ · ↑ · ← · ← · ← · ← · No
↓ · ↑
No · ⇒ · ⇒ · ⇒ · - Depress brake pedal · ⇒ · The ignition key can be withdrawn
- Move selector lever to "P" · and the selector lever is locked in "P"
↓
Yes
↓
Ignition key withdrawal lock OK.
TorqFix answers live for your specific car — tell it the engine code and it serves the matching sequence, torque figures and wiring for that exact variant.
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Who makes these pages, and how
TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.
The figures on this page come from manufacturer workshop documentation and are shown as they are. The page is assembled automatically from that data — it is not written by an AI. The AI works in the chat, where it answers for your specific car. It writes nothing here.
Variants of the same model differ. Cross-check torque against the factory manual for your engine before final tightening.
Seen a figure that does not match your manual? Write to us — we correct it and note when. support@torqfix.com
The story behind TorqFix →Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.