Put vehicle in park message?

2017 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN
110,000 MILES • 2.0L • TURBO • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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RANDYDUNN10
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Car won’t start. New battery
Jul 7, 2026 at 12:51 PM
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STRAILER
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  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Yep, this happens when the shift cable or the gear range sensor goes bad. I would lift the hood and try to move the shift cable near the gear range sensor to see if you can push it more into park. IF so the cable is bad and needs replacement, here is the location of the gear range sensor and where it connects to the shift lever. Please upload a short video in your response of the problem, so I can see what's going on. Check out the images (below).
Jul 7, 2026 at 5:56 PM
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RANDYDUNN10
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The cable appears to be tight. I was advised it was the micro switch, I’ve replaced but the issue remains.
Jul 7, 2026 at 7:21 PM
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RANDYDUNN10
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Battery was weak so I also have replaced that as well.
Jul 7, 2026 at 7:23 PM
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STRAILER
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Nice work, the cable does look good, did you say you replaced the gear range sensor? Also, you might want to try readjusting the cable to push a little further into park on the transmission.
Jul 8, 2026 at 12:35 AM
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RANDYDUNN10
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How do you adjust the cable? I replaced the micro switch and the battery. Thanks
Jul 8, 2026 at 12:43 AM
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STRAILER
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The gear range sensor is not the same as a micro switch, (I don't know where this is?).

Adjustment Requirements:
1. Gauge - Multi Function Switch -T10173-
2. Move the selector lever into "N".
3. Do not bend the selector lever cable.
4. Selector lever cable is disconnected at the lever/selector shaft
5. The selector shaft is in "N".
6. The bolts on the Multifunction Transmission Range Switch -F125- have been loosened.
7. The lever/selector shaft is removed.
8. Install the adjusting device on the selector shaft -2- and turn the multifunction switch -1- just until the adjustment fixture locks onto the tab on the connector on the multifunction transmission range switch.

If this does not work replace the transmission position switch.
Jul 8, 2026 at 1:16 AM
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RANDYDUNN10
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Ok, thanks. I let you know.
Jul 8, 2026 at 1:31 AM
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STRAILER
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 54,832 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
I would appreciate it, I am interested on what is going on.
Jul 8, 2026 at 3:51 PM
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