Automatic Shifter stuck in Park
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 617
Likes: 0
From: Suburban Philadelphia Area
'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.
Any help or guidance would be much appreciated.
Many thanks.
B.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 617
Likes: 0
From: Suburban Philadelphia Area
'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.
Thanks again.
B.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 347
2011 E-350 4Matic Sport
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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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 9
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2012 E350 AMG Sport
- 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..
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 601
Likes: 285
From: Republic of Texas
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.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
From: Miramar, FL
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.
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.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 681
Likes: 405
From: FL
2012 E550 sedan 2019 E63 Wagon
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.
2012 E550 sedan.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 587
Likes: 6
From: Boston
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.
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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From: 122W, 37N
2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition, 2019 Chevy Bolt EV
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2012
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From: Pepper Pike Ohio
24 GLS580 '23 E450 4matic 12 E350 4Matic
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.
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Pepper Pike Ohio
24 GLS580 '23 E450 4matic 12 E350 4Matic
LOL
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 1,555
From: Pepper Pike Ohio
24 GLS580 '23 E450 4matic 12 E350 4Matic
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
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2012
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From: Pepper Pike Ohio
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.
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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2011 E-350 4Matic Sport
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.
