Cannot shift to Park
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Newbie
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Los Angeles, Ca
2008 BMW 750LI, 1997 MBZ E320
Cannot shift to Park
When I got to work today, i was unable to shift into park. The shifter wouldn't even get into Reverse. N, D, 1, 2, 3 are fine but I cannot get into Reverse or Park. I shut the car off while in Neutral and engaged the Emergency Brake so I can do some online research before I do anything else.. Any ideas? 
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, Ca
2008 BMW 750LI, 1997 MBZ E320
So after letting the car sit for 7 hours while at work, I was able to shift and drive home with no issues. Car has been fine since. So is this is a sign of shift selector needed to be replaced soon?
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C300
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A gaggle of MB's
Possibly - but if "linkage wear" is a issue - why would a 7 hours rest change that ?
On pre-facelift W210's tranny gear selector switch is replaceable to like $120 - post-face lift another issue.
I would check electrical is source of the confusion - low voltage on failing battery can be sending gremlins - failing brake light switch gremlins - good time to check./replace Tranny Adapter plug with $14 MB/MOPAR fresh and use 1/2 can of MAF cleaner and pull flood/clean TCM board.... use the other 1/2 can to get into the shifter and spray what you can..
Check tranny fluid level too...
I would use the opportunity to get those relatively low cost items in line.
But that's me
On pre-facelift W210's tranny gear selector switch is replaceable to like $120 - post-face lift another issue.
I would check electrical is source of the confusion - low voltage on failing battery can be sending gremlins - failing brake light switch gremlins - good time to check./replace Tranny Adapter plug with $14 MB/MOPAR fresh and use 1/2 can of MAF cleaner and pull flood/clean TCM board.... use the other 1/2 can to get into the shifter and spray what you can..
Check tranny fluid level too...
I would use the opportunity to get those relatively low cost items in line.
But that's me
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C300
C300 stuck in park, too
I have a C300, it happens to me now, and I could get it in shift and move, tries many times, left it for hours.
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Rental
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Joined: Jun 2023
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2000 E320
I'm not trying to be a jerk, but it's amazing how people live in a digital age but they want/think their car to be/is an all analog, mechanical machine. Also, it's a MB. Not like any other car on this planet.
With that been said, have you noticed that if you don't turn your key to on position or step on the brake, the shifter doesn't move? That means there are couple/several electronic component(s) preventing you from shifting. Do we know if it's these sensors that preventing you from shifting? Or is it a mechanical issue like linkage? No. So first thing you should do is to scan your car. If it's electrical, usually something show up. No, it may not turn on CEL. I say it MAY because I just changed my CPS but no CEL or code turned up on the scanner. But I know it was CPS as I replaced it and no more issue. I believe this was one of the few that doesn't show up on the scanner. But it should be few and far in between.
After you scan your car and nothing turn up, next in line should be search, yes, do your own search on the web or in this forum (and many other). We can only give you advises. We can't be responsible and do not solve every problem everyone has. Only after you ran out of options, come here and ask question. Why? because there are so many question that we need to pinpoint your problem and you have the car. You know exactly what's going on with your car. We can't hear any noise your car is/are making. If you describe the noise, then we need to know when it does it, and after that.................. You get the point.
Sorry it got lengthy. But you need to find out if it's electrical or mechanical first.
With that been said, have you noticed that if you don't turn your key to on position or step on the brake, the shifter doesn't move? That means there are couple/several electronic component(s) preventing you from shifting. Do we know if it's these sensors that preventing you from shifting? Or is it a mechanical issue like linkage? No. So first thing you should do is to scan your car. If it's electrical, usually something show up. No, it may not turn on CEL. I say it MAY because I just changed my CPS but no CEL or code turned up on the scanner. But I know it was CPS as I replaced it and no more issue. I believe this was one of the few that doesn't show up on the scanner. But it should be few and far in between.
After you scan your car and nothing turn up, next in line should be search, yes, do your own search on the web or in this forum (and many other). We can only give you advises. We can't be responsible and do not solve every problem everyone has. Only after you ran out of options, come here and ask question. Why? because there are so many question that we need to pinpoint your problem and you have the car. You know exactly what's going on with your car. We can't hear any noise your car is/are making. If you describe the noise, then we need to know when it does it, and after that.................. You get the point.
Sorry it got lengthy. But you need to find out if it's electrical or mechanical first.
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