I have a 97 A4 1.8 ABT. Starts, Runs ok. When starting, gear display on dash starts showing as "P" whiloe clicking comes from shifter area, then gear display goes to "D" regardless of what gear it's actually in (if any). Display then doesn't change to anything else but "D". Seems the brake lock feature on the shifter isn't working properly i.e. the light display (foot brake symbol next to shifter) lights only briefly while clicking noise, then it goes out completely. If foot actually on brake this happens rapidly i.e. less than a second, and if foot not on brake, say 2 seconds. End result is that I don't have to put foot on brake to disengage shift lock - just key turn and shifter button. Apart from being annoying to view i.e. display is clearly incorrect, and no brake/shifter lock, everything else working fine. Any suggestions ?

 

You most likely have a bad multifunction switch on the trans. You could also have a bad brake light switch. I would start with the multifunction switch and see how that works out.