Hey guys,
So the last couple days my disco does not want to shift out of park. I read a lot of others having similar issues but could not find any definitive solution. I am thinking about removing the solenoid completely. Would this be a stupid thing to do? And why?

On a cold start, it takes the longest to eventually shift out of park. Once warmed up, it takes less coaxing to shift out of park, but still won't shift first go.

How often do shift solenoids fail? Could be my brake switch?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

 

you would have to put a meter of test light on the solenoid to see if it is getting power every time you step on the brake

 

I pulled the solenoid 3 months back and have had no negative results.

Just be sure you step on the brake before shifting out of park.

 

I recall that years ago there was the case of the Audi owner who cranked it in gear and went thru the wall in the garage. Interlocks were added by Audi soon after, and the value of cars in that era dipped quite a bit. I had the misfortune of owning a 5000.

It really is a good safety feature.

 

a 5 cylinder Audi Wow, I had an Audi Fox back in the 70's

 

Lately I've been halfheartedly shopping for a 80s Quattro.

Such a tough car.

The solenoid certainly seems like it's not a bad idea. I just had the console apart and had a vision of getting stuck somewhere because it failed.

 

re: a 5 cylinder Audi Wow,

Rode great, great handling to a Georgia po boy. Made out of margarine - four driver door locks while I owned it, fuel pump, hydraulic leaks (gallon a week), AC blew out of wrong vents half the time unless jammed open with a coat hanger. Replaced main bearings and water pump. The water pump at the time was only $30, but it is cam shaft driven, so when it siezes, it throws the timing belt. And the transmission has water flow in/out, instead of a tranny radiator section. Left me stranded more than once. And every dealer visit showed me what puts the "ooww" in "Audi".

The Audi adventure cured me of European cars... until "Frankenstein" (back to life with parts from the dead ones) Disco and Mercedes came into my life. Now I know the real truth, the longetivity of the vehicle is directly proportional to the attention to details the owner takes. Does not matter what the MSRP, ignore maintenance and you will get to know tow truck drivers, mechanics, parts dudes, some on a first name basis.

 

Have you verified that your brake lights work, could just be a failing brakes switch.

 

Thanks everyone, turns out the little wire to the solenoid was just loose. Glad it was something simple! After fiddling around with it yesterday and making sure it was seated tightly, it shifts out of park every time just fine!