Volkswagen Repair: 2000 beetle starts but wont shift, brake light switch, volkswagen dealer

Question
My daughter's bug tonight for no apparent reason starts, but will not get out of
park. We have the foot on the brake, but to no avail. When the engine is off we
can - sometimes - shift up and down all the way. But as soon as we start it up,
no shifting. If it's something simple (like a fuse) I'd like to try and fix it myself
before I take out a second mortgage to have them do it. Thanks

Answer
The brake light switch is bad.  Turn the key, but don't start the car.  There is a spot...somewhere between off, and on where the gear selector, and the steering wheel both release.  At this point move the gear selector to neutral, and start the engine.  If you have to back out of the driveway....oh boy....good luck, but get the car into position where you can drive away as soon as the engine is started.  This may take some time, and may be frustrating, but just remember, it's only temporary.  Once into a position where the car can be started, and driven away, put the gear selector in between whichever gear you need it to be in to drive, or to back up....so, if it needs to back up first start the car in neutral, and move the gear selector to reverse.  Then when the car has to move forward.  Put the gear selector into the space between neutral, and drive, and start the engine, and move the gear selector into drive, and drive forward.  And then, if you need to move back again, start over from the other side of "neutral," and go into reverse.  Sorry to be so long winded, but I hope you get the idea.  There is a "no mans land" on both sides of neutral where the engine can be started, and the gearshift lever moved to the direction you need to go.  Get the key turned to a spot where  nothing is on, yet, and that will release the shifter, and the steering wheel.  Move the shifter to somewhere near but not in neutral, and close to the gear that you need next.  Start the engine, shift to your gear, and drive away...to your nearest Volkswagen dealer, where they have the latest brake light switch design...THE N4 Brake Light Switch.  Have it replaced, problem solved.  Good luck.  Be patient.  You WILL get it done.