S-Class (W220) 1999-2006: S 320 CDI, S 320, S430, S 500, S 600

Shifter stuck in park

Old Sep 23, 2018 | 08:00 PM
  #1  
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Mercedes S430 2003
Shifter stuck in park

Hi there,

Since a few weeks, my shifter started to get really tough to get out of park and now everytime that I want to drive the car somewhere, I have to use this method : https://youtu.be/CF0tsQpM-qU

It really starts pissing me off and I have read that there are usually two causes for that problem : the shifter selector lever and the brake light switch. I suspect it is the lever since I would normally not be able to get it out of park at all and my brake lights wouldn't come on (they are fine) if it was the switch, am I wrong ?

Anyway, I plan on replacing the lever since it's not really that expensive, but I was wondering what type I need for my car since there are 3 types : two 11mm with and without offset and one 5mm. My car is an S430 4Matic short wheelbase from 2003, if that helps.

Has anyone ever fixed that problem themselves ? It seems to be pretty common on these cars.
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Old Sep 23, 2018 | 09:05 PM
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Get the repair kit that comes with all the sizes
there is no telling which size your car used until you open the shifter
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Old Sep 23, 2018 | 09:07 PM
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So it's not a standard depending on the model ? Can you send me the link to the kit with all the sizes please ?

I'll open the shifter I think that's the safest way to go.
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Old Sep 23, 2018 | 09:10 PM
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No it’s not standard . The same part number shifter used different sizes that’s why many repair kits include all the sizes

please google this yourself I really don’t have time to provide links
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Old Sep 23, 2018 | 09:12 PM
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Mercedes S430 2003
Alright thank you very much for your help ! 😊
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Old Sep 24, 2018 | 02:22 PM
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Mercedes S430 2003
After a few researches I haven't found any repair kit that included the three sizes, does anyone know about this ?
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Old Sep 24, 2018 | 10:40 PM
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2003 S500 2007 GL450
I entered "mercedes transmission lever kit" into Google and immediately got the information...
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Old Sep 25, 2018 | 05:32 PM
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Mercedes S430 2003
I found it, thanks. I wasn't using the right keywords, sorry about that !

Now my problem is about removing the center console, I can't since the shifter is stuck in park and now it looks like it's even more stuck, even the hammer won't do it...
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Old Sep 27, 2018 | 05:21 PM
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Mercedes S430 2003
Removing the shifter

Hi guys, I'm currently removing the shifter gearbox and managed to remove the center console, now I just need to disconnect it from the transmission, but there is still one bolt in the front of the shifter that I can't remove because there is a metal pin above it. I can push it inside the shifter but it still blocks the bolt and I don't have enough space to remove it. Any idea ?
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