A8 Not Starting - Shifter? ECU?

[AudiA8driver]

Hello, How is it possible that my 2004 Audi A8 AWD is able to be pushed as though the car is in neutral all the time but the actual gear selector in the center console remains in park?



I bought a 2004 Audi A8 in an auto auction. The battery has been dead for a few months. I was just able to get the key out of the broken cylinder in the car and open the trunk to access the battery. When I placed a jumper pack on the car, all of the electronics on the car lights up but i get an error on the dash/mmi stating put the car in park or neutral in order to start. The car will not start. When I turn the key all the power turns off. The shifter is literally in Park position and does not move even if I push the brake. The MMI shows that the shifter should be in the S position if that makes any sense. Please help me, i have no idea what could be wrong. The car was a stolen recovery and the ignition cylinder is broken and is loose in the hole. But I can still put the key in and turn and the car just loses all electricity but the MMI still says put in Park or Neutral. Also, once the car was taken off the tow truck, we were able to push the car around and into a spot as if the car was placed in neutral. How could this be possible if I cant even shift the car into neutral with the shifter? is something broken or did someone break something since this car is AWD and broke something to be able to push the car since it can move as it is in neutral?

Country: United States
Make: Audi
Model: A8
Year: 2004
Engine: 4.2L V8

[geojt72]

I think I would start with trying a new battery with nice tight clean connections

[27litres]

Someone has messed with the shifter.
Being able to push the car tells you it isn't in park, and I'd believe the MMI over the shift lever.
And if the computer doesn't think the shifter is in either P or N, then you'll never start it.
I would suggest the shifter is not connected to the gearbox at all. I don't think the D3 uses a direct shift link rod, but is all electronic. So the shift lever is just a fancy looking switch.
So either the shifter is completely broken, or the car has been hotwired - check the wiring to the shifter.
"S" is sport mode - located below 'D'.