Can't get out of park

[rallen]

hello, this is about my in-laws CLK 320 coupe , can't get it out of park, the AA man mentioned something like a solenoid. Are we looking at a costly removal of half the dashboard or is it something simpler like a fuse or a relay?

 

[rallen]

Ok so doing a search reveals it may be an ignition switch issue. Eurocarparts.com do not have them. Any idea how expensive these switches are and also how to access the switch? There is a whole lot of delicate and finished dashboard around that switch and I am bit scared to let garage mechanics have their way with it

 

[type49]

Is it Tiptronic or not??

 

[Uncle Benz]

How old is the CLK?? Could be as simple as a brake light switch problem.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

I've always wondered if Mercs have an overide in this respect?

 

[television]

I've always wondered if Mercs have an overide in this respect?

Yes the E has a little hole by the shift where you can push a rod down to release it

This is a DAS fault and common on the 210 and C class

 

[Uncle Benz]

Some do. On early tiptronics there is a small window at the back of the selector to insert a screwdriver. On my C class you remove the coin rack in the centre console and put a screwdriver or similar in there.

 

[Uncle Benz]

Beat me to it Malcolm!!!!!!

 

[television]

Beat me to it Malcolm!!!!!!

I can always take mine away and re post the difference in time could have been seconds

 

[rallen]

Thanks for the comments guys, any idea if there is a supplier of these ignition switches and also where they are accessed from, in other words do you need to take out the dashboard or is there access from below/sides?

 

[BlackC55]

I doubt it is an ignition switch problem. (MB only for the parts BTW)

Do you have the "P" on the display of the cluster when ignition on?

 

[rallen]

Malcolm above mentioned "This is a DAS fault and common on the 210 and C class" ??? What is the DAS, is it not the ignition switch? If not, what is it then and where is it located?

 

[stevesey]

"Driver Authoristion System" - posh term for a complex electronic ignition switch.

 

[television]

let us have the first 6 vin numbers 208--- the next 3 numbers

 

[brandwooddixon]

Is it not also possible that the brake pedal switch is playing up or does the 208 differ from the 210 in this regard? The brake has to be depressed before it will move from the park position and the switch is both easier and cheaper to replace if its the cause.

 

[R W]

I used to have this problem regular with my 210 as it stands for several weeks unused.The car always had enough battery power to start the engine but often the transmission was locked in P.I used to put a pen into the gear shift window to unlock it,then after driving the car a few hours all was well.I now have a battery charger hooked up to it while the car is unused.The charger is on a timer to come on twice a week for an hour. Now I dont have the transmission lock problem so I am asuming it was low battery voltage causing the transmission to lock.
Regards
R W

 

[beddowes1]

im new to mercs and am suffering the same problem .its a E320 CDI 1999
performs A1 till left for a couple of days then locked in park. I do the same thing realese leaver drive for about four miles stop restart D appears in the dash window and all is well till it is left again
i have assumed it is a dodgy battery and was going to replace but how come it starts the car without problem and doesnt seem flat? only other problem and dont know if its connected seat belt off warning light is on when car is being driven can any one help
thanks guys trevor

 

[television]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Number one the battery does need to have the full 12.5 volts, if the battery is on the way out, yes the car will start but blips can occur when the voltage is low. Try and measure it before you start in the morning

 

[beddowes1]

many thank malcolm
will try your suggtion seems the answer because i presume the short drive charges the battery up to a acptale level
Is the air bag light on the centre consol an easy to fix im not happy with somene being in the pass seat if it is off handbook suggests its auto when you fit a baby seat
as im 60 yrs I have not done that ! thanks trevor

 

[television]

The SRS fault is often in the passenger seat pad or the wires in the plug under the seat