MNMBbuyer

2013 Gl550 has been running fine, get into this morning start it but cant get it out of park (wont go into neutral, reverse or drive)? Tried turning car off and on....nothing. Any suggestions? Another potential issue, car is in garage, if I have to tow to dealer MOnday how do we get it into neutral so it can be put onto tow truck?
This board has been great in the past, hope you can assist!!

kombifan

try changing the aux battery. It controls the transmission. If original it’s probably had its day.

BLK GL550

I had same problem with my 2013 GL550. Turned out to be a weak main battery ( 5yrs old). Dealer told they found several "low voltage" codes stored that was causing the transmission not to shift out of park. Replaced with new battery...problem gone.

MNMBbuyer

Thanks for the reply, mine turned out to be auxiliary battery.....

kombifan

What?!

Can i get a like?!

vivaitalia

​​​@BLK GL550 ... so I had 3 occasions (over the past month) where engine starts but would not get out of gear from Park ... then it happened, car dead and wouldn't start, had a stranger in the grocery store parking lot jump start me ... after research, replaced the main battery and so far (last 48 hours at least) no issues ... (7 years of the OEM main battery)

Question: did you continue to get the gear shifting issue after you replaced the main battery? or did it happen again and turned out to be the auxiliary battery? I did not replace the Aux b/c I thought it was in the rear cargo compartment and would do that later (immediate concern was getting the car started) ... hours of research seem to confirm that for MY 2013, the aux battery is located in the same area as the main battery (under passenger seat) ... had I known, i would've replaced there and then ... hoping to buy some time before I can take out the main car battery again to get access to the aux battery ... ughhh what a pain

BLK GL550

The issue of not shifting out of park went away for me after replacing the Main battery (under the front passenger set) . I have since sold the the vehicle back in Dec. 2019. My understanding is that a week Main or Auxiliary battery can cause the shifting problem . It is also my understanding that you will get a low battery warning on the instrument display if the Aux battery is failing. The Aux battery in the 2013 GL550 is located in the rear passenger side cargo area.

vivaitalia

Thanks bud, what did you get as a replacement ... just curious ? Sooooo ima quadruple check the rear passenger side cargo as it's not there for me ...

BLK GL550

I replaced the '13 GL 550 (which i miss) with a '20 GLC 300. This kids are out the house now... so its just the wife & me. Leg room in the GLC is as much as the GL and the Turbo 4 banger scoots...0-60 in 6 sec. And you don't have to pull the engine to fix a turbo or to perform other major repairs.