Gearbox stuck in Park

[100%Bitch]

Yesterday I pulled up to some traffic lights and I just knew I was going to be there for some time and put the car into Park. When I tried to put it into Drive it wouldn't move. I had to turn the engine off, move into Neutral and start again. It then went into Drive okay (with me felling a bit sheepish). I took it to the dealer who could find nothing conclusive.
When changing from Park to Drive, Neutral or Reverse in normal conditions it can be a bit "sticky" to get out from Park and sometimes requires a bit more effort.
Tonight, as I was waiting for the garage door to open, I put it into Park again with the same result.
The car is fine apart from that. It drives well and changes gear smoothly.
Any ideas anyone?

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Yesterday I pulled up to some traffic lights and I just knew I was going to be there for some time and put the car into Park. When I tried to put it into Drive it wouldn't move. I had to turn the engine off, move into Neutral and start again. It then went into Drive okay (with me felling a bit sheepish). I took it to the dealer who could find nothing conclusive.
When changing from Park to Drive, Neutral or Reverse in normal conditions it can be a bit "sticky" to get out from Park and sometimes requires a bit more effort.
Tonight, as I was waiting for the garage door to open, I put it into Park again with the same result.
The car is fine apart from that. It drives well and changes gear smoothly.
Any ideas anyone?

I know this is probably stating the obvious - but did you have your foot firmly on the brake pedal before you tried to shift it out of 'park'?

 

[100%Bitch]

I know this is probably stating the obvious - but did you have your foot firmly on the brake pedal before you tried to shift it out of 'park'?

How firm do you call "firmly"?

 

[Xtractorfan]

It may just be a faulty Brake light switch.. foot on the brake operates the little solenoid that locks the gear lever in park..try switching on the ignition and pressing and letting off the brake pedal..you should hear the little solenoid moving around the gearstick area..

 

[JEZ.S320L]

How firm do you call "firmly"?

There is a micro-switch on the brake pedal that disengages a locking 'thingy' on the shift, when you put your foot on the brake pedal. You SHOULD hear it gently 'clicking' on the shift as soon as you put your foot on the brake. Its a safety feature to stop the car suddenly shooting forwards or backwards when you engage D or R from 'Park'. So I guess that 'firmly' would be sufficient to stop this happening.

On the other hand, it could be a faulty micro-switch or a faulty locking 'thingy'. Sorry I am being so technical - but that's as good as it gets with MB techie stuff - I just check pressures, levels, fill 'em up with fuel - and drive the things..!!

 

[JEZ.S320L]

It may just be a faulty Brake light switch.. foot on the brake operates the little solenoid that locks the gear lever in park..try switching on the ignition and pressing and letting off the brake pedal..you should hear the little solenoid moving around the gearstick area..

THATS a MUCH better description of the technical attributes of a Mercedes-Benz, than mine.

Helen, for locking 'thingy' - read solenoid

 

[Xtractorfan]

or for solenoid read locking thingy.. its probably called an actuator or something stupid

 

[100%Bitch]

Thanks guys for your technical descriptions. The dealer did say give it to them and they would give it a proper check over a day or two .

Good job it has a warranty!

 

[Xtractorfan]

Ah so u have a dealer .......... Top gear one hopes

 

[42864]

Helen, when you had the problem getting out of Park, were you by any chance on a Slope or a Hill as the weight of the car resting on the Park pinion can make it difficult to release?? I do some times have a similar problem if I do not use the Parking Brake when parked on my drive which has a slight slope, Just a thought.

 

[100%Bitch]

Helen, when you had the problem getting out of Park, were you by any chance on a Slope or a Hill as the weight of the car resting on the Park pinion can make it difficult to release?? I do some times have a similar problem if I do not use the Parking Brake when parked on my drive which has a slight slope, Just a thought.

No, it was on the level.

It's gotten more difficult to get out of Park over the last 24 hours so it's booked in on Monday for them to look at it. They think it might be the selector as if you jiggle it about while putting pressure on it to move it suddenly does.

 

[colechelle]

Inside the ESM there is a plastic lever which controls the shift lock, these start to brake and only get worse, once its fully snapped then the car is staying where it is! whole new ESM needed, ordered to chassis number only!

 

[100%Bitch]

Inside the ESM there is a plastic lever which controls the shift lock, these start to brake and only get worse, once its fully snapped then the car is staying where it is! whole new ESM needed, ordered to chassis number only!

Sounds expensive then.

 

[colechelle]

round about 500-600 quid! without labour!!!!

 

[roadhog]

Tonight, as I was waiting for the garage door to open.....

Class! :-D :-D :-D


Sorry, can't help with the car problem. Hope you get it sorted.

 

[MB TECH WARRINGTON]

Inside the ESM there is a plastic lever which controls the shift lock, these start to brake and only get worse, once its fully snapped then the car is staying where it is! whole new ESM needed, ordered to chassis number only!

id agree sounds like the selector module, replaced many on the 230 model,, quite common, good luck with fix,
oh how is 55 kompressor life?
really good engine, love mine, the dogs danglies

 

[100%Bitch]

id agree sounds like the selector module, replaced many on the 230 model,, quite common, good luck with fix,
oh how is 55 kompressor life?
really good engine, love mine, the dogs danglies

Thanks MB TECH WARRINGTON (can't you get a shorter name?)

55 life is absolutely fantastic and as you say, the dog's danglies. I've never driven a car with so much power and charisma. It just blows everything else off the road. Wow.

 

[MB TECH WARRINGTON]

Thanks MB TECH WARRINGTON (can't you get a shorter name?)

55 life is absolutely fantastic and as you say, the dog's danglies. I've never driven a car with so much power and charisma. It just blows everything else off the road. Wow.

i done a track day at oulton park in my evo oon 2/7/08, last wed,
there was an sl55 on the track, seemed to be ok on the track, sounded sweet down the straight, was thinking of taking mine on but think ill stick to the evo,

regards the name , just call us mb tech, ha

 

[100%Bitch]

Okay, everybody who said it was the selector module - take a bow and have a pat on the back. Well done.

All I can say is, "thank God for warranties!" £825 including VAT and labour.

 

[robpoo90]

mbtech - notice you mentioned about trackdays. Sounds like you know a little bit about them?

I bought a track day through Motorsport Vision for my old man who has a Morgan +4 turbo. He loved it but said you can get a few muppets on the track that are a bit eratic...and with insurance being void it's pretty risky!

For his birthday I hope to line up a bit of father/son bonding at a track day, I will take my 55 and him is Morgan. But I am hoping to find an event that guarntees some clear road (without the eratic muppets!). Is there such a thing? or can you suggest a decent one?

Cheers