Weird problem. I have a 2001 VW Golf automatic. When starting car cold the clutch won't release out of park until the car is warmed up. After it finally releases it drives fine. What is going on?

either stuck or release cable is broke......could be broke at release..

try the cold start sensor/ automatic choke

THE 5 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

At the bottom of the automatic gearbox (tiptronic) you will find one threaded plug on below surface, (follow red arrow in the picture below). This is for emptying.




The oil level threaded plug is placed on the car front lateral automatic gearbox surface, (follow yellow arrow in the picture below).



The filling oil plug is placed on the upper automatic gearbox surface, (follow green arrow in the picture below).


Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) checking:
1. Requirements for check:
1.1. Vehicle standing on level surface.
1.2. Transmission must not be in fail-safe mode.
1.3. Shift lever in "P" position, parking brake applied.
1.4. Engine idling.
1.5. Air Conditioner and heater OFF.
1.6. ATF temperature must not exceed 104 Fahrenheit degree (40 Celsius degree) at start of test.
1.7. Automatic gearbox oil capacity: 2,5 liter. Only ATF with VW designation may be used. Do not use any lubricant additives.
1.8. Automatic Transmission Fluid ATF - part number: VW G 052 990 A2
1.9. An ATF level check when transmission oil temperature is too low results in overfilling, when too high results in underfilling.
2. CAUTION: Too much or too little ATF will affect the operation of the transmission. The ATF level must be checked at regular intervals.

Heed of antifreeze coolant temperature!!!
First time you might check the thermostat operating.
The thermostat location for VW Golf 1.6 is inside of coolant thermostat housing placed on back side of the cylinder head. See pictures below.
Thermostat checking:
1. Cold engine. Start up the engine and watch of the water temp indicator. After first value 60 Celsius Degree you still warm up the engine until the lifter (pointer) reach 80 C deg. (second mark after 60 C deg.). At this time you let engine running at idle speed and check with your hand the thermostat plastic housing and hose temperature in bottom left side of the engine. Heed of alternator driving belt and ventilator fan !!!
2. If the thermostat is good the hose must be cold until the water temp indicator reach almost 90 C deg.
3. The thermostat opening temperature is 87 C deg.
4. If the hose is already warm the thermostat is out of order.

Thermostat location, Part number: 032121110B, in german - "Kuehlregle" (Price around $20):




Important note: Always replace the thermostat round seal, position 6 in the above picture.


Please do rate my response. Thanks!

thats because the car is not at operating temperature.you will get a slight drop in power and drivability until its warm.do not try to use any more than 1/3rd gas pedal until its warm anyway.your car has an automatic cold start device (choke)that operates when the car is cold.

it could be gear oil low but i cant remember where the check plug is on the gearbox though sorry, thanks jezza

replace the glow plug relay its faulty.Hope that was helpfull.

If your car is fuel injection,try changing the cold start temp sender.

It sounds like the hydraulic lifters are bleeding down after sitting for a while... there are ball checks which are supposed to prevent this... Try using a good engine flush (a product that frees sticky lifters) and replace the oil with a good synthetic... Hope this helps...;-)

check the brake ligth switch