Czy wolisz polską wersję strony elektroda?
Nie, dziękuję Przekieruj mnie tam2006 audi a6 2.0 tfsi car wont start as it does not know what gear its in and remains stuck in the parking gear. I have to manually release the gears from under the ashtray and sometimes it comes back to life if i move them around a bit or dont drive the car for a day or two
Your Audi is very likely not suffering from an engine-starting fault. It is most likely suffering from an intermittent gear-position / park-recognition fault.
The most likely causes are:
Gear selector mechanism fault under the centre console
Transmission range sensor fault
Wiring or connector fault between the selector, gearbox, transmission control unit, and access/start authorization module.
The manual release under the ashtray only bypasses the mechanical park lock. It does not fix the electronic problem that tells the car whether it is in P or N.
On the Audi A6 C6/4F platform, the car must know that the transmission is in Park or Neutral before it will allow starting. If the start authorization system, engine ECU, or transmission control module receives an implausible or missing gear-position signal, the car can refuse to crank and may keep the selector locked in Park.
Your symptoms are very characteristic:
| Symptom | What it suggests |
|---|---|
| Car will not start because it does not know the gear | Park/Neutral recognition fault |
| Gear lever stuck in Park | Shift-lock / park-lock control fault |
| Manual release under ashtray allows movement | Mechanical lock is being bypassed, not repaired |
| Wiggling the lever sometimes brings it back | Intermittent switch, sensor, connector, or wiring issue |
| Leaving the car for a day or two helps | Heat/vibration-sensitive electrical fault, failing solder joint, or sticking mechanism |
Ross-Tech lists P0706 / 17090 / 001798 as “Transmission Range Sensor F125: Implausible Signal,” with possible symptoms including engine will not start, incorrect gear selection, and a flashing PRNDL display. Possible causes include gear selector cable adjustment, faulty F125 sensor, or wiring/connectors to the sensor. For the 01J/Multitronic transmission, Ross-Tech notes that F125 is part of the transmission control module J217. (wiki.ross-tech.com)
For the Audi A6 4F/C6, the selector system also uses a Selector Lever Sensor System Control Module J587, Hall sensors, a shift-lock solenoid N110, and a park-recognition switch system. Audi technical training material describes the selector display and Hall-sensor arrangement in the gear lever assembly, as well as the emergency release system under the selector area. (content.datarunners.net)
A particularly important component here is the Transmission Park Selector Switch F305. Audi service information describes F305 as using two microswitches; both must operate correctly for the system to recognize Park-related conditions. The service information also states that an electrical continuity test may show approximately 470 ohms when both switches are closed. (workshop-manuals.com)
Because you say that moving the selector around sometimes brings the car back to life, I would inspect the selector assembly first.
Possible faults:
This fault can make the car think:
Any of those can stop the start authorization logic.
If the dash PRNDS display flashes, goes blank, shows all gears highlighted, or fails to show the correct gear, then the fault may be deeper in the transmission electronics.
On many 2006 A6 2.0 TFSI front-wheel-drive cars, the gearbox is the 01J Multitronic CVT. The Audi A6 4F platform is listed with the 2.0 TFSI engine and 6-speed automatic/01J Multitronic transmission electronics in Ross-Tech’s model information. (wiki.ross-tech.com)
If your car has the Multitronic CVT, the transmission range sensor signal can be internal to the transmission control module. A fault there can cause:
This is more expensive than a selector switch fault, so it should be diagnosed properly before replacing parts.
A bad brake pedal switch can prevent the shift lock from releasing because the car does not know that your foot is on the brake.
Check this immediately:
However, a brake switch fault alone usually does not explain the car not knowing what gear it is in. So treat this as a basic check, not the main suspect.
Audis of this generation are sensitive to low voltage. A weak battery, poor ground, or voltage drop can cause modules to lose communication or misread sensors.
Before replacing expensive parts, check:
Low voltage may not be the root cause, but it can make an intermittent selector fault appear worse.
Use the ashtray/manual release only to move the vehicle in an emergency. It bypasses the lock but does not prove the gearbox is electronically safe to operate. If the car loses gear-position recognition while driving or after parking, it may strand you completely.
A generic cheap OBD reader may only show engine codes. You need a tool that can scan Audi modules.
Scan at least:
Look for codes such as:
| Code / description | Likely area |
|---|---|
| P0706 / 17090 | Transmission range sensor F125 implausible |
| P0705 | Transmission range sensor circuit |
| 00230 F305 | Transmission Park Selector Switch |
| Shift Lock Solenoid N110 fault | Selector lock mechanism |
| Selector lever sensor J587 fault | Gear selector module |
| CAN communication faults | Wiring, power, module issue |
| Brake switch implausible | Brake pedal switch or wiring |
Do not clear the codes before recording them.
With ignition on, when the car refuses to start:
Interpretation:
| Display behaviour | More likely fault |
|---|---|
| P not recognized, but wiggling selector helps | F305 / selector module / connector |
| PRNDS flashing or all gears highlighted | Transmission range sensor / TCM / gearbox electronics |
| No change when moving lever | Power, module, wiring, or internal gearbox sensor fault |
| Brake pedal does not release shifter | Brake switch, N110 solenoid, or shift-lock fault |
Remove the selector trim carefully and inspect:
Unplug and reseat the connector only with ignition off. If there is contamination, use proper electrical contact cleaner, not WD-40.
If you or your mechanic can access the wiring diagram, test the Transmission Park Selector Switch F305.
Audi service information indicates that F305 uses two microswitches and that continuity testing can show approximately 470 ohms when both switches are closed. If the reading is open-circuit, unstable, or changes when the lever is lightly moved, the selector switch/module is suspect. (workshop-manuals.com)
A useful test is:
If the signal drops out while the lever remains physically in Park, you have likely found the fault.
With VCDS or ODIS, check transmission live data.
For suspected P0706/F125 faults, Ross-Tech specifically recommends checking measuring value block plausibility and, on 01J/Multitronic applications, checking Hall sensors/magnets and the transmission control module. (wiki.ross-tech.com)
You want to see whether the transmission module consistently recognizes:
If the selector says Park mechanically, but the transmission data does not show Park, the issue is either:
Possible repairs:
This is usually the best place to start because it matches your “wiggle it and it comes back” symptom.
Possible repairs:
Do not fit a random used TCM unless you know exactly what you are doing. Coding, adaptation, immobilizer/component protection, and gearbox variant compatibility can become a problem.
Possible repairs:
This is usually cheaper, but again, confirm with live data and fault codes.
In order:
Do not rely on the manual park release as a normal operating method. If the car does not reliably know whether it is in Park or Neutral, the starting interlock is being defeated mechanically but not electronically. You could become stranded, damage the selector mechanism, or create an unsafe situation if the car unexpectedly recognizes the wrong range.
Your 2006 Audi A6 most likely has an intermittent Park/Neutral recognition fault, not an engine fault. The top suspects are the gear selector park switch F305, selector module J587, shift-lock solenoid N110, wiring/connectors, or the transmission range sensor F125/TCM if the car has the Multitronic gearbox.
The correct next step is a full VAG diagnostic scan plus inspection/testing of the selector assembly under the centre console. If you can provide the exact fault codes and describe what the PRNDS display does during the no-start condition, the diagnosis can be narrowed down much more accurately.
