Shifter stuck in Park? You start your Mercedes-Benz but realize that the transmission gear selector won't move out of Park. The shifter can't exist moved from Park (P) to Drive (D). Or you lot turn off the car but can't move the shifter back to Park. Don't panic; this is typically not a transmission problem. In this article, nosotros will show you lot how to get the automobile out of park manually and how to troubleshoot gear selector shifter problems yourself. We discuss the common Mercedes-Benz stuck in park bug.
If your Mercedes-Benz automatic manual gear selector is stuck, you tin can manually move the shifter from P to D (or D to P) using the shifter override feature found on nearly all Mercedes-Benz models, including E-Class, C-Class, CL-Class, ML-Grade, SLK-Class and other models. This will permit you to bulldoze the machine over again instead of towing information technology.
Mercedes Shifter Stuck in Park Problem
Your car starts fine, only when you attempt to movement the shifter into Drive, the car won't shift. You notice that the shifter is stuck and hesitates to move. Hither is a listing of typical symptoms related to the automatic transmission shifter stuck.
- Mercedes stuck in Park (P)and turn down to go to D or Northward.
- Stuck in D, R, N and will not motility back to Park (P).
- Can't remove keys from the ignition.
- Mercedes manual won't get into drive.
- Mercedes E, Due south, C, ML Form gear shift stuck in park.
- Mercedes volition offset, but transmission won't become into gear.
- Shifter can not be returned to Park (P), and you tin't remove the key from ignition.
- P,North,R,D gear choice indicator on dashboard not displaying correct gear.
Mercedes-Benz cars that are equipped with automated transmission accept a gear selector shifter interlock safety feature. This safety feature locks the shifter in Park when you turn off the ignition. If you lot demand to move the shifter out of Park and into Drive, yous need to reinsert the cardinal into the ignition and turn it to position I or II.
The interlock mechanism will allow the shifter to move out of PARK when both of these conditions are met:
- Plow ignition to Position, I, II or Run.
- Press the brake pedal.
Common Causes – Shifter Stuck in Park
Here is a list of the most common reasons why the gear selector does not movement out or Park.
- Lacking Brake Light Switch
- Depression Voltage or Dead Battery
- Spilled Liquid on the shifter assembly
- Defective shift interlock solenoid
- Faulty Engine Control Unit (ECU) or Transmission Control Unit (TCU)
- Transmission Shift Cable Broken or Shift Rod Bent / Loose
Possible Solutions
If the shifter on your Mercedes-Benz will not motion out of park, the commencement matter your should check is the bombardment. Once y'all ostend the bombardment is fully charged the 2 most common problems are a defective brake lite switch or a shifter module is damaged.
Brake Light Switch
Brake light switche neglect very frequently and are the most common cause of transmission stuck in Park trouble. The shifter will not be released unless yous printing the restriction pedal which is proper functioning, required by Federal Constabulary too. Once the brake light switch stops working properly the shifter doesn't know if you are pressing the brake pedal or not. Therefore it will go stuck in park. You may exist tempted to check if the brake lights are working to ostend that the brake light switch is working or not. This is non a good test to troubleshoot if the brake light switch is working or not. Common symptom when the restriction lite switch fails and you lot tin't become the car out of park is that the ESP, ABS or BAS lights will also turn on. This is an indication that the brake light switch may demand to be replaced. Read this article on How to replace the brake light switch on a Mercedes-Benz.
Gear Shifter Assembly
The shifter assembly (gear shift module) may neglect due to article of clothing or internal failure. The shift interlock solenoid which is located within the shifter assembly tin fail or quit working. Plastic parts within the shifter tin pause. In this case, you will need to manually become the automobile out of park until you get the part replaced.
Hint: If you look at the gear selector on your instrument cluster, and information technology doesn't brandish the current shifter position such as P, R, N, D, it is a skillful indication that the shifter module is defective.
Battery
One mutual reason for the shifter not getting out of park is low battery voltage or dead bombardment. If your battery is dead, replace information technology before you lot go on with other repairs. Replacing the bombardment on your car is very like shooting fish in a barrel, and you lot can replace it yourself without the need of a mechanic. Hither are several Group 94 batteries on Amazon that are exact fit for most Mercedes-Benz cost and price a lot less than the battery that yous purchase at the dealer
Ignition Switch
The ignition switch needs to be in position I, Two or engine running. In one case you plough the cardinal to whatever of these positions the shifter is unlocked from park, via a cable or electronic switch. If the cablevision or the ignition switch itself fails the shifter may get stuck in park.
How to Manually Release Shifter Stuck in Park
Do not forcefulness the shifter into gear. You could break other parts by forcing the car into drive. Instead, try the following steps to manually get your machine out of the park. You can also employ the same process to get the shifter from Neutral or Opposite into Park position and remove the keys.
In the following video nosotros will show you how to manually get a C-Class W203 out of park. The instructions are similar for other Mercedes-Benz models including Eastward, C, S, CL, CLK, CLS, ML, GL, GLK, SLK Course. Just look around the shifter moudle for an access pigsty. It will be covered with a plastic cap in virtually cases.
Footstep-by-footstep instruction on how to become your Mercedes out of park
- Start by pressing the emergency brakes on your automobile.
- Insert the cardinal into the ignition and turn it to Position, I, 2 or start the auto. Starting the car is non necessary but optional.
- Printing the brake pedal and keep them pressed while y'all are post-obit these instructions to ensure that the auto does not roll away while yous are trying to become it out of Park.
- Find the gear shifter lock / override on the center console. It typically is near the shifter lever. In most cases, you will run across a modest plastic cap that is covering this port.
- Remove the small plastic cover. Typically this is used to store coins. Lift it up using a flat screwdriver.
- Utilise a screwdriver, pen, or similar object to press on the manual release switch. Push on the override switch and hold.
- Use the screwdriver to push the unlock tab to manually release the shifter.
Note: Manually getting the automobile out of Park (or into Park position) does non fix the problem. You need to find what is causing the manual shifter not to move and address that outcome. This method is simply a temporary set up and should simply exist used in case of emergencies. Transmission may operate on second gear (Limp Fashion) until you get the shifter problem resolved.
Troubleshooting a shifter that is stuck and won't become into drive
Step 1:
Turn the primal to position II and printing the restriction pedal a few times. As you lot press the brake pedal, the solenoid inside the shifter releases the shifter from Park. Listen carefully for a click sound by the shifter module. You may be able to hear the solenoid unlock. If you can hear the click that is a proficient sign. The igntion is activating the interlock machinery and allowing the gear selector lever to be moved out of PARK.
Step 2:
Read trouble codes. Get a hold of an advanced diagnostic scanner and read the trouble codes. Ask your friends who ain Mercedes-Benz if any of them owns a Star Diagnostic Scanner. If not, consider getting a diagnostic scanner, they are affordable, like shooting fish in a barrel to use and information technology pays for itself. Here is one of the all-time OBD2 scanners for Mercedes-Benz. It volition scan most command units on your Mercedes-Benz and point y'all to the problem. Using an OBD2 scanner is very piece of cake even if you have never used 1 before.
Step iii:
Next, remove the brake light switch and troubleshoot it using a digital multimeter. If you don't know how to utilise a multimeter, consider replacing the brake light switch instead of testing it. The restriction light switch is very cheap if you get it from Amazon. Click here to check the best price on Mercedes-Benz restriction lights.
Step 4:
If the Mercedes-Benz shifter is notwithstanding stuck and manual tin can not exist moved out of park position. It is possible that the shifter selector module is defective. This could be due to a plastic shifter inside the shifter that has broken or drinks getting spilled on the center console. This is a common trouble with Mercedes-Benz S-Form W220 S430, S500 and CL-Class models such as CL500 and CL600. If you have a S-Class or CL-Course and are handy with tools, you lot can open the shifter module and supercede the broken plastic inside. You can buy a Mercedes Benz South-Grade W220 Automatic Shift Gear Repair Kit on Amazon.
Often Asked Questions
Is the shifter interlock feature required?
Yes. Shift interlock mechanism is a safety feature on your car. It prevents the car from accidently getting out of Park unless the ignition is turned on and the motorcar restriction pedal is pressed.
Do all Mercedes-Benz cars have a shifter unlock / override mechanism?
Yeah all Mercedes-Benz cars 200o and newer have a shifter lock feature.
Tried the manual release but still, tin't get my Mercedes-Benz out of park.
Try using a different object to manually release the shifter.
Can I lubricate the shifter mechanism?
You lot need to be very careful if you determine to lubricate parts of the shifter mechanism. Do not get any liquid due north the electronic components of the shifter. You can lubricate the moving parts including the brawl and metallic steam. If you are non sure what to lubricate, do non attempt to practise this.
How can I become my Mercedes-Benz out of PARK in order to tow it?
Utilize the method described in a higher place to become you Mercedes-Benz out of park.
I can't observe a shifter release on my Mercedes-Benz.
Some models such equally S-Course W220 and CL-Class didn't accept a hole for you to manually release the shifter from Park. They can still exist manually moved into park. Watch the video on this commodity on How to become an S-Class out of Park.
Applicable Models
2006-2007 C230 / 2001-2005 C240 W203 / 1998-2007 C280 / 2008-2012 C300 / 2002-2004 C32 AMG / 2001-2005 C320 / 2006-2011 C350 / 2012 M272 C350 / 1998-2000 / 2005-2006 C55 AMG / 2000-2006 CL500 W215 / 2001-2006 CL55 AMG / 2007-2011 CL550 / 2001-2002 CL600 / 1998-2005 CLK320 W208 / 2006-2009 CLK350 W209 / 1999-2003 CLK430 / 2003-2006 CLK500 / 2001-2006 CLK55 AMG / 2007-2009 CLK550 / 2006 CLS500 CLS55 AMG S350 / 2007-2011 CLS550 / 1998-2004 E320 W210 / 2005 GAS E320 / 2006-2009 E350 W203 / 2010-2011 GAS E350 / 2003-2006 E500 / 1999-2006 E55 AMG / 2007-2011 E550 / 2002-2008 G500 / 2003-2011 G55 AMG / 2009-2011 G550 / 2007-2012 GL450 / 2008-2012 GL550 / 2008-2012 GL550 / 2010-2012 GLK350 / 1998-2003 ML320 W163 / 2003-2009 ML350 / 2010-2011 GAS ML350 / 1999-2001 ML430 / 2010-2011 ML450 / 2002-2007 ML500 / 2000-2003 ML55 AMG / 2008-2011 ML550 / 2006-2009 R350 / 2010-2012 GAS R350 / 2006-2007 R500 / 2010-2012 S400 / 2000-2006 S430 S500 / 2001-2006 S55 AMG / 2007-2011 S550 / 2012 M273 S550 / 2001-2012 S600 / 1999-2006 SL500 / 2003-2008 SL55 AMG / 2007-2012 SL550 / 2006-2008 SLK280 / 2009-2011 SLK300 / 2002-2004 SLK32 AMG / 2001-2004 SLK320 / 2005-2011 SLK350
