[CptMike]

Master 50, I don't know if this is your problem or not, but let me share something that happened with me... See if this sounds similar to your circumstance.

I go out to my A6 (1998 2.8L 30v) and start it. I put it in "drive" (tiptronic auto) by feel without looking at the "PRND32" on the dash display. I put my foot on the accelerator and depress it - the car is very sluggish. No warning lights showing... It is like trying to take off in a manual transmission car while in 3rd or 4th gear. I look at the dash display and notice there is no "PRND32" there!!! I limp back home... "Great - my transmission is shot", I think to myself.

On the way, I notice voltage looks a little low on the dash volt meter. At home I check my battery voltage and find it down to 8 volts!!! How I got the car started I have no idea... I check to see if the battery is going to hold a charge and find that it will not. I replaced the battery. I start the car and find that "PRND32" is back on the display... I take it for a spin around the block and find that everything is back to normal. No problems since in this area.

I know this is a longshot, but with even transmissions being reliant upon electricity these days: Have you checked voltage? I thought about your post for a day before replying and, well, it just sounds like my situation so I thought I'd give it a shot.

You didn't say in your original post, but are you able to get any real RPM's out of the engine in Park or Neutral? If yes, then it would seem even more like a tranmission problem. Is your transmission an automatic or manual?