Audi Repair: audi, 1998 audi cabriolet, audi cabriolet

Question
QUESTION: 1998 audi Cabriolet. In park it makes a thump noise at the auto gear shift nobe. When I put on the brake it goes away, It only makes the noise in park it will not make any noise in gear

ANSWER: Maybe the shift lock pin in the transmission is deformed.  Anybody ever put the car in park without the car being completely stopped?  Let me know,  Jan

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QUESTION: In park with out being stoped? Not that I know of we did buy it used and have put 12000 sence buying it. I have also noticed that under the dash were the fuses and relays are there is a relay kicking on and off at the same time the thump noise is coming from the shifter. Does this give you any more clues?? Thanks Wayne

Answer
Aha, yes that does give more information.  It sounds like the brake switch is bad, the brake has to be applied before you can shift out of park, and this activates a solenoid in the shifter mechanism.  So the relay is being activated, and the solenoid is somehow pulsing.  Check the switch on the brake pedal, or when you press on the brake pedal does the thumping stop?  Let me know,  Jan