Park Neutral Starter Relay location needed

BINNINGERHALEY

MEMBER
2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
2.4L
5 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
120,000 MILES

When I turn the key, nothing happens. I have a brand new battery in the car and I do not think it is the starter. When I put the car in park the car says it is in drive, so I think I have a bad fuse, thus why the car will not start. It seems to think that it is drive. I am having trouble locating the starter relay for this. I have looked online everywhere and cannot find it anywhere. Do you know where I could find this?

Monday, September 6th, 2021 AT 7:26 PM

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,176 POSTS

Hi,

The vehicle will not start if it thinks it is in any gears other than park or neutral. If it says drive, that is the issue.

I have a question. When you move the shifter to park, is it actually in park or are you able to move the vehicle as though it is in neutral? If you can, then it's likely an issue with the shift linkage. If it is in park, then we need to focus on the transmission range sensor. That is an electrical switch on the transmission that signals other modules the gear selection.

I attached a pic below showing the range sensor and the shift cable. I highlighted the sensor and circled the cable. These are located on the transmission housing. Have a helper shift through the gears while you watch to see if the cable is working properly and moving the shift lever.

Let me know what you find or as much info as you can provide to help me diagnose the issue.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.

Image (Click to make bigger)