E-Class (W212) 2010 - 2016: E 350, E 550
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Automatic Shifter stuck in Park

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Old Dec 16, 2018 | 10:03 PM
  #1  
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'11 350 4matic - '14 Stingray: Gone, BMW 530i, Porsche 944 Turbo, Porsche 356, Mitsubishi 3000GT
Automatic Shifter stuck in Park

Today my w212 2011 e350 transmission got stuck in park. The shifter would not engage at all to get the car into drive, neutral or reverse. Its been acting sluggish lately, but today I could not get it to engage at all. I tried restarting, pumping the break, etc...

Any help or guidance would be much appreciated.
Many thanks.
B.
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Old Dec 16, 2018 | 11:53 PM
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2002 C32AMG
Look in the center console. There should be a small rectangular rubber "stopper" in the bottom. Pull that back and push in the button that is now exposed and move the shift lever.
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Old Dec 17, 2018 | 12:37 AM
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Check batteries: 12V/80AH battery engine compartment (part # 0009822108), 1.2AH selector lever backup battery instrument panel (00000004039).
Attached Files
File Type: pdf
Check condition of battery.pdf (22.7 KB, 822 views)
File Type: pdf
install battery.pdf (441.1 KB, 498 views)
File Type: pdf
212 additional battery.pdf (259.8 KB, 695 views)
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Old Dec 17, 2018 | 07:59 AM
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'11 350 4matic - '14 Stingray: Gone, BMW 530i, Porsche 944 Turbo, Porsche 356, Mitsubishi 3000GT
Many thanks...will check it out, however the car has full power. Radio, lights, ignition all work fine. I just can't get the car out of park. It's been acting strange for about a month or two with slow responses when moving from park to drive. The trans itself has been rock solid since I got the car in 2011. Never had any hesitation or skipping.

Thanks again.
B.
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Old Dec 19, 2018 | 04:33 AM
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2012 E350 AMG Sport
Replace the battery.
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Old Dec 19, 2018 | 11:46 AM
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2011 E-350 4Matic Sport
Originally Posted by C3Duece
Look in the center console. There should be a small rectangular rubber "stopper" in the bottom. Pull that back and push in the button that is now exposed and move the shift lever.
I see the W211 seems to have the console plug/access but I can't seem to find it in my W212. I looked in the bottom of the glove box and under the cupholder and coil holder. Maybe I'm missing something obvious?
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Old Dec 19, 2018 | 12:28 PM
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Aux battery..sounds like
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Old Dec 19, 2018 | 12:49 PM
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Originally Posted by belarus27
Aux battery..sounds like
I'm surprised there has been no dash display warning.
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Old Dec 22, 2018 | 04:08 PM
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Mercedes-benz E350cdi 2010
Ignition doesn't recognize key maybe.
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Old Dec 22, 2018 | 07:56 PM
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2012 E350 AMG Sport
  1. well being as though my car (2012 E350 AMG sport) suffered from this. These cars are VERY sensitive to CURRENT DRAW/Ohms. It’s not reading a high enough voltage available somewhere at the startup sequence. So, like we are saying, change the battery, and it be a world of difference. Your car will feel like a new car. And it will shift into D when you ask it..
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Old Dec 26, 2018 | 09:51 PM
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W203 W212 W211 R53MCS
First, there is no manual release on the W212 with shift by wire system. The ISM is bolted directly to the side of the transmission. Also if the car starts with no issues but will not come out of park, power should not be a problem. The ISM is powered by fuse #88 front the rear SAM. Instead of throwing parts at like everyone is telling you to do, find a competent shop that has Xentry software and ask to peform an actuation of the ISM or a relearn. ISM do go bad. And just to give you a heads up, this part is a TRP part, which means that you either do it at the dealership or find someone that has the appropriate licensing to purchase the part and the correct equipment to program it.
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Old Jan 6, 2020 | 12:06 PM
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2012 E350 Sport, P1, AMG Wheels, Multi-contour seats
I am curious if there are any conclusive findings on this thread, from someone who actually had and resolved the problem.
My car started doing this about a month ago intermittently, but now it is happening regularly. The car will not shift out of park. I have to shut off the engine, remove the key, re-insert the key and start the car again, and only then will it shift out of park. That process (shut off, remove key, re-insert key, start) has so far always worked.
To those who replaced batteries, did it make a difference? I am still on my original battery.
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Old Jan 8, 2020 | 02:50 AM
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I recently replaced my main battery and when I started the car it would not go out of park. Had to leave the car on for 10 minutes and then shut it off and then it would work. I think the aux battery may have gone down bit causing the issue, as that battery controls the gear by wire system.

2012 E550 sedan.
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Old Jan 24, 2021 | 01:11 PM
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12 E350 4Matic Sport
My 2012 E350 did this for the first time today. Car has been in the garage for a week straight, and it's been pretty cold here. I had to turn off the ignition, remove key and start again in order for the shifter to work again.

Guessing that AUX battery mentioned by poster above was low on juice.

Does anyone know where the AUX battery is located? I remember its position under the hood on my now sold W211 but never put eyes on it with the W212.
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Old Jan 24, 2021 | 01:22 PM
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Have you looked in the spare tire area? IIRC, the 2012 M276 cars got auto stop/start and that's where it would be.
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Old Jan 24, 2021 | 02:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Crna Mechka
Does anyone know where the AUX battery is located?
In your vehicle it is located in dash left side, see attachment.
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212 additional battery.pdf (259.8 KB, 997 views)
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Old Jan 24, 2021 | 04:09 PM
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Originally Posted by konigstiger
In your vehicle it is located in dash left side, see attachment.
thats only true if it does NOT have B03, ECO start/stop.


btw, where do you get those factory service PDFs ?
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Old Jan 26, 2021 | 04:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Crna Mechka
My 2012 E350 did this for the first time today. Car has been in the garage for a week straight, and it's been pretty cold here. I had to turn off the ignition, remove key and start again in order for the shifter to work again.

Guessing that AUX battery mentioned by poster above was low on juice.

Does anyone know where the AUX battery is located? I remember its position under the hood on my now sold W211 but never put eyes on it with the W212.
In the '10 thru '13 model years it is in the left dash panel, open the drivers door and on the end of the dash you can now see with the door open there is a triangular- ish trim panel, it is the size of a home alarm battery and is in a bracket you'll be able to see once you pull the trim panel. only the 14-16 models have a battery in the trunk and only the 14-16 models have start-stop, {thank goodness}
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Old Jan 26, 2021 | 04:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Left Coast Geek
thats only true if it does NOT have B03, ECO start/stop.


btw, where do you get those factory service PDFs ?
Forum rule number one: Koenigstiger is always right
forum rule number two: See rule one. LOL
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Old Feb 11, 2021 | 10:33 PM
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2016 E400
My 2016 E400 is equipped with ECO and does not use an auxiliary battery in the trunk. Just the main battery and the small AGM in the left side of the dash.
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Old Feb 11, 2021 | 10:44 PM
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Originally Posted by OntarioDave
My 2016 E400 is equipped with ECO and does not use an auxiliary battery in the trunk. Just the main battery and the small AGM in the left side of the dash.
No kidding, surprised they went back to that, is it the E400 only? I have heard the '16 E350's have a trunk battery. I have seen them in the '14's and '15's but I've never been in a '16
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Old Feb 11, 2021 | 10:49 PM
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yes, my 2016 E350 4matic wagon has a trunk battery.
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Old Feb 13, 2021 | 08:05 AM
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My 2016 E350 also has the small aux battery in the spare tire well.

Post photos of a dash battery in a 2016?
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Old Feb 13, 2021 | 09:37 AM
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24 GLS580 '23 E450 4matic 12 E350 4Matic
I thought the E400 was a partial hybrid with a 56 volt system, guess I'll have to do some research, seems hard to believe they would go back to an In-dash battery, but OD says he has one and he has the car.

I also read an article about suspensions and that the '14-'16 sports were watered down to luxury suspensions just lowered, unlike the '11-'13 which had stiffer springs. So again, confirming that changes were made every model year.

Last edited by pierrejoliat; Feb 13, 2021 at 09:41 AM.
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Old Feb 13, 2021 | 10:53 AM
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Originally Posted by Left Coast Geek
thats only true if it does NOT have B03, ECO start/stop.


btw, where do you get those factory service PDFs ?
Those are from Mercedes WIS/EPC. Work instructions / electronic parts catalog.
Mine is a 4 CD set off eBay, about $15. Takes about 64gb on my garage laptop.
You're able to put in your VIN which then applies the instructions and parts to your particular vehicle, including the build sheet.
IMO along with a scan tool this should be part of any DIY toolset.
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