1999 Volkswagon Jetta won't shift out of first?

TYPHOONK

MEMBER
1999 VOLKSWAGEN

It's a 1999 VW Jetta automatic with no power windows. Yesterday I armed the car while I was in it(by accident), didn't think too much of it - then tried to start the car. But the alarm went off! So I just disarmed it.
But now when I drive it, it doesn't seem like it shifts out of first. I will drive a bit then the check engine light comes on for a second then off. Then all the gear selects are highlighted (PRND321), and I can't get it to shift to any gears.
I called one VW dealer and they said it was electricall and the transmission wasn't seeing how fast the car was going, and thus wasn't changing gears. The second dealer I called said they wanted to drop the transmission oil pan and check for steel bits, and then give it an transmission fluid change.
Which one is right? Or is it just something to do with the alarm?

2 Replies

CARRILLOM530

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Did you ever find out what was wrong with your car since I have one with the same problem.

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Monday, June 4th, 2007 AT 4:39 PM

TYPHOONK

MEMBER
7 POSTS

Yes we did find out what was wrong with it. Turns out the factory alarm locked the transmission down with an error. So the dealer had to either reflash the memory or just use there big computer and reset the transmission control unit or the vw alarm system. Nothing super expensive like replacing or rebuilding the transmission.