Switch selector lever to position "P" Message

[AVIA8R]

I recently bought a MY2004 Cayenne Turbo (Mar 2003 Production Date). I've had it for about amonth and love the vehicle so far. However, on a few occasions, the display is displaying "Swith selector lever to position "P"" while I'm driving. Any ideas.

[RFM]

In normal circumstances this message is shown when the car is stand stil, the selector in each possition except P and ignition OFF. Since the ignition switch is no longer a ordinary switch but one or more control boxes it is advisable to visit the dealer. Take a look if all the systems are working correctly, get in the car-push the key in the switch-you can hear the steering wheel lock/unlock, switch on the ignition and push the brake pedal with the selector in P possition-you can hear the selector lock/unlock-take the N or R possition and switch off the ignition, the message is now shown in the display and it is NOT possible to pull out the key. I don't no if the previous owner have done modifications.

[rcavalieri]

I have the exact same issue, I drive for a while or a minute then park and I am unable to shut down and pull the key out. I have to reengage the system by turning the key to the right then back to the off position and then the lock releases and I can remove the key... can someone provide feedback to the cause and resolution. I just purchased my 04 Cayenne S and it's great except a couple annoying things like this.

Thanks in advance,

[AVIA8R]

I have the exact same issue, I drive for a while or a minute then park and I am unable to shut down and pull the key out. I have to reengage the system by turning the key to the right then back to the off position and then the lock releases and I can remove the key... can someone provide feedback to the cause and resolution. I just purchased my 04 Cayenne S and it's great except a couple annoying things like this.

Thanks in advance,

I know...great vehicle with just a few very annoying querks. Ok. I spent a couple grand fixing mine. Hopefully you don't have to. They never found what was causing it. Only that there was "noise" in the ground to the transmissin computer. they added some extra grounding points to clean up the signal. That seemed to fix it. It came back once or twice for a day or so, but is pretty much fixed. Also, make sure you have the more up to date software in the computer.

I hope this helped. I can't tell you how annoying it was for me....right in the line of sight!! Ugh, I wantted to put my fist through the dashboard one time when it did for two hours on a long drive......and it clicked when it did it to. Like it was saying "hey, look down here and see this!"

Good luck. Feel free to contact me vie message if needed.

matt

[rcavalieri]

Thanks Matt, I took it by the dealer today and they're telling me that there are two solenoids under the center consol that need to be replaced each one is $300, but only 1-hour for shop labour... so I'm thinking this is probably something I can do... but I may want them to complete it so that they can update the system software to the latest versions.

The parts I need are the following.

955-426-011-01 Selector L

955-612-460-00 Plug Socke

955-552-261-01-62W Shift Gate

But I can't seem to find an alternate source for the parts other then the dealer.

Any help and or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[wvicary]

Nearer the top of the page is a link for "Porsche Parts at Dealer Cost". Give them a go.

[odix]

Like wvicary said try Sunset Porsche. I have used them for a few part orders. They are awesome. Fast shipping, knowledgeable, friendly and excellent prices and inventory. They are big Renntech.org supporters too.

[rcavalieri]

AVIA8R - so I ended up replacing the parts listed and it worked about 1 in 5 starts, now doesn't work at all... can you describe where the extra grounds are that were put in your car? Not sure if you have access to some pictures, but that would be great if you could help... this is driving me crazy!!!

Edited May 4, 2010 by rcavalieri

[spyrwebs]

AVIA8R - so I ended up replacing the parts listed and it worked about 1 in 5 starts, now doesn't work at all... can you describe where the extra grounds are that were put in your car? Not sure if you have access to some pictures, but that would be great if you could help... this is driving me crazy!!!

When I reinstalled the shift gate plug I must bent one of the Pins and wasn't working either. I took it back out and used pliers to bend it straight. They're really tiny pins so you have to be careful. Its been like 3 months and I never got that weird indicator again.

Theres actually a little magnet on the plastic part of the shift gate that tells the computer indicator what position its in, I bet that fell off. Check that first. If i find a photo ill post it.

[spyrwebs]

[feralc]

Hello this is what happened to me, recently I started the engine tried to select a gear and the gear lever was stuck in Parking, like when you are not depressing the brake pedal to release the gear lever, eventually the fault went away and I was able to select a gear, I checked the manual and it says the following "In the event of an electrical fault, the selector lever lock in position P can be manually released for towing the vehicle for example" so I assumed I just had a random "electrical fault".

But then happened exactly what is described here, I stopped the vehicle and tried to get my key out and the system will not release it, showing "switch selector lever to position P", and it is at the shop, right now, I have no idea what could have happened, but the tech said that these are two different issues, I would think they are related because both happened with the gear lever within one week.

Anyways, can you please tell me what is it that happened with your cayennes back then? I know it has been a whie but I will appreciate it, also i found this "switch selector level to position P" message while in Parking happens to Touaregs as well (http://www.clubtouar...on-p-19031.html), so I am sure it is a design flaw.

thanks

Edited December 14, 2011 by feralc

[wvicary]

The repair is as described above for the warning message. As for the selector not being released the first thing to inspect is the brake light switch.

[feralc]

The repair is as described above for the warning message. As for the selector not being released the first thing to inspect is the brake light switch.

The tech checked the brake light switch and the lights were properly working while depressing the brake.

But regarding the "Switch selector lever to position P" when it is indeed in Parking and not allowing me to take out the key problem, the tech could not replicate the problem on site so now I am picking it up tomorrow, I sent him a copy of this thread and he said that this is a common issue with this car, and I am looking at about $650 repair and he couldnt guarantee it that is the only issue since he could not verify the problem consistently.

I really do not know if he was refering to the solenoids replacement fix or to the magnet fix above?

Which repair are you referring to?

Any other ideas?

Thanks

[ringnalda]

The message "Switch selector lever to P" is only displayed when you try to remove the key when the selector is not in the P position.  So I do not believe the error showing up while driving to be associated with the transmission, as all that is in the position it is expecting.  For some reason the ignition switch is detecting a trigger to remove the key, could it simply be an ignition switch fault?  Yes you can hear relays clicking when the error shows up during driving, but again this could be normal for when you try to remove the key or try and turn it off.  Has anybody changed the ignition switch to see if that fixes the problem?  The switch is $200 or so and seems easy enough to replace, does it need to be programmed to the key transponder or to the car?

[icebird757]

Any solutions ?