SL350 stuck in park but can gently fettle out

[Monkey Wrench]

Hi, so the chilly weather last few months has meant limited use of my pride and joy.
One very cold morning (5am) pre xmas, started up but could not move shifter out of park, couldn't hear the releasing solenoid click either.
It was so cold I thought something was frozen... Whilst I was at work, my son to try for me in the afternoon, and it worked for him.
I'm thinking, yep something sticking because of the cold.
When I try again few days later, again in the early morn, same thing, bugger
So I came here, found some references to shifters stuck in Park of other models, and read one chap had resolved using an aftermarket aluminum lever to replace MB plastic version.
I see fleaBay have these levers for some models.
However, if I gently gently coax the shifter along its path, I can get it to move, releasing the foot brake with the shifter moved produces a solenoid click, but not when first pressing it.
I've yet to access my selector unit to find if I have a cracked or broken plastic lever, but will do as soon as God dries out and warms up my driveway.....
I'll hope to document my efforts to add to the forum.
Anyone have some experience with this issue, maybe tips of how not to break bits.....

 

[alexanderfoti]

Usually the plastic lever is fractured. Its quite possible yours is split but not broken into two pieces.

A bit of a faff to remove ,but easier when its out of park, so reccomend removing the module sooner rather than later.

 

[ajlsl600]

There are a few write ups on here ref the procedure and dramas, hav a read n make a plan.

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Usually the plastic lever is fractured. Its quite possible yours is split but not broken into two pieces.

A bit of a faff to remove ,but easier when its out of park, so reccomend removing the module sooner rather than later.

Thank you for the prompt reply....defo something likely gonna stop it altogether soon.

 

[Monkey Wrench]

There are a few write ups on here ref the procedure and dramas, hav a read n make a plan.

Thanks, make that plan, agree, and it starts tonight.
Step 1....trawl the forum with a fine tooth comb...
Last time I planned a biggish job it took me 2 months, then further 3 to execute, and £800 ! but boy the satisfaction was worth every penny.

 

[ajlsl600]

Any wriggle from an over expensive solution is grand and this forum for mb and often other makes is the best I have come across. I think I saw an aussi supply of the part u need to replace the plastic bit. Another thing. Some are often what I call a bit brutal with the shifter, I am always deliberately gentle with it. On that model, I found it far easier to be gentle and deliberate. A policy developed after reading this issue on this forum.

 

[noonboots]

This the part I used.

Mercedes Gearbox Shift Stuck in park. 11mm Repair lever S Class R230 SL W220 ESM | eBay

The most common cause is this ESM gear shift repair lever. This is the most common 11mm centered lever type. Will fit many other 2000 - 2006 W220 ,R230, C215 models. 11mm version.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[noonboots]

This is how to fit it without jacking up the car and crawling underneath. https://www.facebook.com/groups/MercedesSLcars/permalink/10161041225010760/

 

[Monkey Wrench]

This the part I used.

Mercedes Gearbox Shift Stuck in park. 11mm Repair lever S Class R230 SL W220 ESM | eBay

The most common cause is this ESM gear shift repair lever. This is the most common 11mm centered lever type. Will fit many other 2000 - 2006 W220 ,R230, C215 models. 11mm version.

www.ebay.co.uk

I actually messaged this seller this morning....he could not confirm it would fit my version but offered no quibble return if it didn't. Your usage is encouraging, thank you.

 

[Monkey Wrench]

This is how to fit it without jacking up the car and crawling underneath. https://www.facebook.com/groups/MercedesSLcars/permalink/10161041225010760/

Thanks but I'm not a Facebook user anymore, I'll try see it through a friend

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Any wriggle from an over expensive solution is grand and this forum for mb and often other makes is the best I have come across. I think I saw an aussi supply of the part u need to replace the plastic bit. Another thing. Some are often what I call a bit brutal with the shifter, I am always deliberately gentle with it. On that model, I found it far easier to be gentle and deliberate. A policy developed after reading this issue on this forum.

Thanks for the lead, also found YouTube helpful today, the plan is formulating....slowly.
Indeed, discussions are always interesting to read, wealth of information and funny stuff along the way. Same boat with the gentle, all round really. I even clean the windscreen wiper rubbers and windows before setting off, reduces potential scratches by sand and other nasties, habit born from trying to reduce a deep scratch once using cerium oxide, tough going and stained some trim

 

[Monkey Wrench]

This is how to fit it without jacking up the car and crawling underneath. https://www.facebook.com/groups/MercedesSLcars/permalink/10161041225010760/

Sadly my friend couldn't open it, members only

 

[Monkey Wrench]

This the part I used.

Mercedes Gearbox Shift Stuck in park. 11mm Repair lever S Class R230 SL W220 ESM | eBay

The most common cause is this ESM gear shift repair lever. This is the most common 11mm centered lever type. Will fit many other 2000 - 2006 W220 ,R230, C215 models. 11mm version.

www.ebay.co.uk

All things considered, orderd one, should be interesting....thanks for the lead

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Usually the plastic lever is fractured. Its quite possible yours is split but not broken into two pieces.

A bit of a faff to remove ,but easier when its out of park, so reccomend removing the module sooner rather than later.

Thanks, my subsequent recon supports your ealy diagnosis planning the surgery now

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Fistly a disclaimer ... I like emoji's.

Finally, the weather Gods have answered my prayers .... warmed up enough to start this.
Having roamed a plenty the vastness of this forum and web posties, I found the associated circuitry for the park solenoid has caught others with the same or similar symptoms.
So.......
Today, tried shifting out of park (engine running for a bit to add some battery charge) nope, aint unlocking, not even the solenoid click
Removed the footbrake switch, tested with ye old Fluke 73 mark III multimeter, continuity wasn't reliably positive
Aggitated the plunger with a little vigor (more than it would get in situ), retested, verified its performance as working. The switch looks like it could come apart and have the contacts checked and cleaned but may break in the process , so didn't attempt.
Refitted...
And what do you know, clickerty click click of the park solenoid every time .
Drove her off and on the drive, positioned shifter in and out of Park a few times, gently of course, and performed every other combination of gear selection, all with 100% repeatability.
To me this is at least part of the problem. Ordered a branded switch from a seemingly competant eBay seller (Necter points for Christmas earned )
When new switch arrives I will compare the ohms of new and old switches and hopefully this will instill some confidence of the system.
Pictures cursity of my trusty Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ55 for interest (text editing pics is new for me)




hope i added these pictures ok...

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Update - fixed it...
Got away with using her for work last three days with everything crossed after having a fiddle with the brake pedal switch last week.
Today fitted the replacment dual function brake switch, (febi bilstein Nr. 36124) and voila.
Shifter solenoid switching is instantaneous as the pedal is fully pressed. Before, there was a variable latency.
Thanks to all for input and guidence, hope my result helps someone else.
As for the replacement shifter repair lever, kindly mentioned by alexanderfoti and noonboots , I'll keep, just in case.