any ideas anyone?

[Vee8]

Tonight my CLK W208 430 decided it was not going to start.All the electrics worked and the starter spun merrily but there was no sign of a splutter even.I was in a rush so I used my wife's car but before I abandoned ship I noticed that the auto gear lever would not move.
When I returned an hour later I pressed the brake hard(don't ask me why!!) and it started as normal and everything seemed fine.Anyone any ideas?The check engine light has stayed on by the way.
A couple of weeks ago when I started it, it seemed to spin longer than normal but burst into life easy enough but the check engine light stayed on for a day then too.
I'm open to suggestions.Is there an inhibitor switch linked to the gearbox that might be dying?

 

[turnipsock]

The inhibitor switches usually stop the starter motor spinning.

It sounds more like the fuel pump not kicking in. Is there usually a noise from that when you turn on the ignition?

 

[Vee8]

I'm using the car this afternoon so I'll keep my ears open - assuming it starts of course!