Clutch on Automatic

[cpuccia at mediaone.net]

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I have a 1998 A4 1.8 quattro.   When I inserted the key into the ignition,
the display panel gave the following message: Press Clutch Pedal to Start
Engine.   But the car is an automatic, so what clutch?  I am the original
owner and have never had this problem.  Called three dealerships, and none
of them ever heard of it.  Advice given, tried, and failed so far includes
1) pushing the shift hard against the Park,: 2) putting the shift in
neutral; 3) trying starting engine several times -- this caused a
machine-like noise, but the engine never tried to start.

Anyone ever had or heard of this problem?  Solutions?
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