G_KATS

Is this bad ? theres days where its fine and then theres days where i have to shake it too bring it down too Drive .

rsr911

Sounds like the switch for the break pedal is failing. This switch tells the shifter it is safe to move from park to drive.

OUTCAST

Mine did the same thing so I took it to the MB dealer. They had to replace the whole shifting assembly.

BeltFedBob

Try pushing a little harder on the brake when moving the shifter from park to drive.

G_KATS

wow!! wat did that cost you ?

sikhkd

Reminds me of the time when I was trying to go from drive to park and it wouldn't do it.. until I realized by cell phone was in the way

could be a major transmission problem or a simple brake switch fix

valgehiir

Hi, my 03 sl55 had the same problem 2 years ago.
Shifter would not move from P, stroking brakes repeatedly usually helped and I always got the shifter to move, even if sometimes it took a minute or so. Then one day it just would not move, after 15 minutes of vigourous stroking I called a tow truck, friend of mine at Tallinn MB dealership sorted it out in less than an hour.. it was the switch at break.
Cost was minimal, they cleaned the switch since there was no replacement in stock, guy told me to come back and replace the switch if this was to happen again. It has been 2 summers now, everything is fine, never replaced the switch.

DAGREEKNYC

MY OLD 2004 CLK AND E430 DID THE SAME .I REALIZED AFTERWARDS EVER TIME I GOT THE CAR FULLY DETAILED IT WOULD HAPPEN . WATER WOULD GET INTO A MODULE AND SHORT IT OUT .

G_KATS

where is the break switch located ???

valgehiir

Sadly, I do not know. I do know where the gear shifter is located, if that would be of any help!

Thank you!

TopEndS62

I would think it should be under the brake pedal.. i could be wrong

mig1980

I had the same thing happen to me but with me I waited until the last minute and the car finally give out and would not shift out of park at all. This happened at the grocery store. I had the car towed to MB and they ended replacing the entire shifter. I had warranty but parts and labor were about $700 or so.

They told me it is a silonoid switch in the shifter that is due to a bad design of the shifter which does release when it senses the parking brake pressed. It stopped working. They also said the new shifter would eventually have the same problem in about 5-7 years which is rediculous to me. According to the dealer the design was not chnaged on the new shifter assembly at all.

OUTCAST

I will look at the paperwork when I get home from work. I have all the paperwork for anything that is done or I buy for the car.

Rick SL55

Yes is under the brake pedal. The switch is cheap.

G_KATS

well just now i was playing with the break pedal and shifter and i can hear a sound everytime i press the break .... like a clicking sound, CLICK!!! it works .... i press the break again, CLICK!!! it works again ..... then i push the break again NO CLICK ... doesnt move . till i hear the CLICK! thats when it always works ...

Also i notice when i hold the shifter more too the right and dont let it sit towards the left side of the track, it works PERFECT. the minute i let it sit on the left side in PARK the shifter then has problems clicking . I kinda figured out how to make it always work .. but im scared if i do take this benz for a long distance trip and it doesnt work. then im screwed ... ugh!!!

this is my 1st real problem since buying the car lastyear .

TopEndS62

Yeah I would feel the same exact way!!! Go get it checked out maybe by a independent mercedes tech in your area. This has also happened to my boy with a sl55 in his case they changed the whole shifter assembly. It seems 50/50 on the switch and 50/50 on the assembly. whatever it is, you should deal with it asap, you would hate for an emergency situation to occur and you can't make moves... good luck with it.....`

G_KATS

so i went in too see wat was wrong..... they hooked my car up too a computer and it said my shifter box was shot . so now i have to replace my whole shifter. its gonna cost me 1200 .

TopEndS62

ouch!!! is that parts and labor???

G_KATS

ya all together ..... tommorow i get the car and next week i pick up my new rims .

NHSL55

Yeah, I had an SL500 before I had my SL55, same issue. Plastic ring on inside of shifter broke.....wouldn't happen if they put a better one there,

$10 part....$561 labor...


My SL55 has a warranty to prevent such random issues now

roberthechter

Just push on the brake pedal first, before you try to move the shifter

MrStyle25

My CL55 AMG is in the Dealership right now, they called back and said it was the Shifter Assembly and it needs to be replaced. Approximately $1,100.00, they are calling my warranty company now, it should be a covered component. I've had the car a month and day and it's been in the shop every week for something. last time was 1,000 in labor, $80 for 6 parts, including belt. Their labor is ridiculous. Since they didn't know how to install my bluetooth module I am nervouse they are just replacing parts versus making a real diagnosis. I hope there are no loopholes in my extended warranty, they ahve got to hate they sold me one!

jctevere

I am having the same problem on my r230 SL500 right now. Takes me like 20 tries to get it out of park. I hear that it could be the solenoid in the shifter, the plastic piece that breaks, or the brake pedal switch. Why would the car have 2 things to tell the brake is depressed. If it was the brake pedal switch this would mean that the taillights would not go on, correct? If it was the solenoid, the brake lights would go on, but the car shifter will still not shift out of park? I will diagnose the problem later.

However, does anyone have a DIY or pictures for replacing either? Thanks so much!

nylefty31

Just picked my sl up yesterday from mb service. I was having the same problem where it kept getting stuck in park until one night when out to dinner it totaly locked and would not come out no matter what i tried(pushing brake harder,hammer,etc. So what I did was order the plastic gear select lever and attempted to replace it myself. The problem is the car needs to be in neutral to remove the console, So i cut the stem of the shifter with plans to have it welded. Once the console was removed you need to remove 3 screws holding the shifter, that are in awkward positions. I ended up stripping one, by then i was fed up and sent it to MB. I have a hook there where i was charged $500 for a whole new shifter and installation since MB does not change the plastic piece inside. I would definitly address the problem asap before it locks in park and not only will the shifter be stuck but you as well. Good luck

damian155

decided not to sell your 55?