On cold starting, my ‘96 Audi A6 (168k) auto box starts in limp mode. Accompanying symptoms are: no gear illuminated on dashboard indicator, no shift lock operation, and with N selected - reversing lights are on and engine cannot be turned over. After about 5 miles, when engine hot, perfectly normal operation obtained after restarting the engine, and above symptoms disappear. Seems after long runs, there is correct cold starting on a few subsequent days, unless temperatures fall below about 5ºC

Local garage found volts at the shift lock solenoid, but replacing it did not cure the problem. Checks on brake light switch and solenoid clearances OK. They found no fault codes when the problem was not present (engine hot), but with the problem present, computer showed 5-7 solenoids in autobox not working, no doubt on instructions from ecu.

Front disc pads need renewing (relevant?), otherwise car is in perfect mechanical condition.

Please can anybody help!