problem with auto box selection

all

Problem with the auto box on my 1998 a4 1.9 TDI auto.

On xmas day we went out to drive to my sons for the evening. Car started and left it to idle for 15 minutes to clear the frost from the screen. All in and about to drive, put it in gear and nothing. No motion at all, tried each gear on the auto box and nothing. No clunk as you put it into gear, no funny noises, just nothing.

So looking through the manual I am thinking selector cable snapped? Any other possible causes. I would have read fault codes but PC is dead just now so not an option for a few weeks until I can get a new hard drive for it.

Went out today to look at the cable but I am struggling to get the cover off the bottom of the selector bit in the tunnel. There's a rubber cover with a plastic base plate and the Haynes is unhelpful on how to remove the plastic base plate. Anyone done this and have any suggestions.

Given up now as it -15C outside and I am getting nowhere. Might leave it for a (relatively) warmer day and see if I can make any progress.

Stuart

Pics of the plastic cover that is stumping me.

Thought I should put a conclusion here in case someone else has a similar problem.

Underneath the car, removed the gearbox mount from right hand side of gearbox so can see the gearbox end of cable. With number 3 son in drivers seat, moves lever and can see the cable moving as it should and all is well.
Cannot find any other mechanical or electrical reason for problem.
Borrowed laptop and downloaded VCDS and drivers for cheapo ebay lead that I got last year.
Plug in and read fault codes, 00293 and 00300. Problem with multi-function switch.

Always worth a try....clear codes, start car, problem gone. Gears engage exactly as they should, hurrah!

Have checked a few times since (two weeks) and problem has not re-occurred, Suspect it was a loose connection on the MFS as one of the first things I did was disconnect electrical connectors, blow them out with WD40 and reconnect. Perhaps the extreme cold on christmas day (-20C) added to the problem. Who knows, problem may re-occur so may pick up another MFS ready for when it does, at least the price of the MFS for the 4-speed autobox is reasonable, accidently looked up the price for the 5-speed and had heart attack.

Cheers

Stuart