Clunking when shifting from drive to park

MEAGAN DAVY

MEMBER
2010 VOLKSWAGEN CC
4 CYL
TURBO
2WD
AUTOMATIC
187,000 MILES

When I go to park from drive the car will clunk 1-2 times. Seems like it tried to place the pawl to park but missed and then tires again and catches. It’s not all the time. There is some roll back as well but not dramatic maybe a couple inches total. When I put the e brake on and shift into park it sometimes clunks as well. I tried putting it in to neutral -e brake- park and it will sometimes clunk there too. No other issues are present however. 2 weeks ago I thought something was wrong with the DSG so I took it in and the mechanics looked it over and said there wasn’t anything wrong with the transmission. I had a bad crankshaft position sensor and intake manifold.

1 Reply

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,577 POSTS

That description sounds like the pawl in the DSG is worn and skipping teeth on the locking gear or the cable that goes to the shift lever is stretched and not pulling the slide fully into engagement. It is a fully mechanical system inside the transmission.
The cable can be adjusted if it is the issue. However if the cable isn't the problem then the gearbox would need to be removed to access that part.

Adjusting
Loosen the adjusting bolt on the yoke.
Put the shift lever in Park.
Move the selector lever on the transmission into the "P" position.
See image 3
The lever on the transmission must be pushed all the way to the rear.
- Pull the lever forward.
- Push the lever to the rear
Park is the second detent position.
Make sure the transmission is actually in the "park" position.
See image 4
- Lightly tap the button in the handle forward and backward and make sure to keep the handle in the position "P" position.
This locates the cable core in its optimal position.
- Tighten the adjustment bolt marked with the arrow in image 4 to 13 Nm.

Images (Click to make bigger)

Clunking when shifting from drive to park

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