Gear stuck in Parking
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Mercedese-S500
Gear stuck in Parking
Hello Experts,
I have 2005 Mercedes S500. ONLY in winter when it is cold and if the car stays out in parking lot for 4 to 5 days, car starts with no issue but I can't change gear form Parking to reverse/drive position. Any help would be much appreciated
Thanks
Nitin
I have 2005 Mercedes S500. ONLY in winter when it is cold and if the car stays out in parking lot for 4 to 5 days, car starts with no issue but I can't change gear form Parking to reverse/drive position. Any help would be much appreciated
Thanks
Nitin
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 439
From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
Inside the shifter, there is a computer-controlled solenoid-operated plastic link which blocks shift lever movement unless the brake pedal is pressed. Possible causes for your problem include:
The brake pedal brake light switch is not functioning in very cold weather. Check the brake lights to see if they are functioning when the lever doesn't release.
There is excessive drag in the solenoid and/or the plastic lever in very low temperatures, preventing the lever from moving. Try jiggling the shift lever while pressing the brake pedal.
The plastic lever is cracked, and doesn't move far enough to release the shift lever. You can buy a kit, consisting of two or three different sizes of metal replacements for the plastic lever. Installation is feasible for a reasonably experienced DIY owner.
The brake pedal brake light switch is not functioning in very cold weather. Check the brake lights to see if they are functioning when the lever doesn't release.
There is excessive drag in the solenoid and/or the plastic lever in very low temperatures, preventing the lever from moving. Try jiggling the shift lever while pressing the brake pedal.
The plastic lever is cracked, and doesn't move far enough to release the shift lever. You can buy a kit, consisting of two or three different sizes of metal replacements for the plastic lever. Installation is feasible for a reasonably experienced DIY owner.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Mercedese-S500
Brake light doesn't comes when the gear stuck in parking so I tried second option and it works like charm 
. Is there any permanent solution for this issue??
Thanks for your advice.
Nitin
. Is there any permanent solution for this issue??Thanks for your advice.
Nitin
Last edited by nnb; Dec 25, 2018 at 02:43 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 20
Likes: 3
2004 s500 4matic
I would defiantly look into the brake switch light first and see if that's working. The whole shifter box on the floor needs to be removed i was able to fish it out otherwise you may have to drill out the rivuts on the side to access it there are replacements available online but I just left mine out. It negates the safety of what it does. There's a solenoid which pushes the plastic lever that says it's safe to move from park to reverse or drive
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Newbie
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 10
Likes: 2
From: Norway
211
Old thread, but I will try my luck.
I am currently dealing with a problem which won’t let me release the car from park when cold. On the warmer days (+1 celcius), it moves to the other positions just fine, but when it’s below 0 celsius it won’t budge.
When first trying to move the shifter to the right before going downwards, it’s kinda sticky like it’s frozen. I can’t seem to find any post describing it like me.
If I jack up the car and put a heater directly under the shifter lever and leave it for about 30-60min, it will release from park.
Im thinking maybe there is a water drop or something inside the shifter and have thought of spraying a little wd40 or crc inside, but I don’t want to do that since I have read that the shifter is super sensitive to any form of liquid and will break.
I can’t understand which broken plastic lever you guys are talking about, could someone please elaborate? Maybe this is the problem i’m having
Thank you.
I am currently dealing with a problem which won’t let me release the car from park when cold. On the warmer days (+1 celcius), it moves to the other positions just fine, but when it’s below 0 celsius it won’t budge.
When first trying to move the shifter to the right before going downwards, it’s kinda sticky like it’s frozen. I can’t seem to find any post describing it like me.
If I jack up the car and put a heater directly under the shifter lever and leave it for about 30-60min, it will release from park.
Im thinking maybe there is a water drop or something inside the shifter and have thought of spraying a little wd40 or crc inside, but I don’t want to do that since I have read that the shifter is super sensitive to any form of liquid and will break.
I can’t understand which broken plastic lever you guys are talking about, could someone please elaborate? Maybe this is the problem i’m having
Thank you.
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 980
Likes: 224
2005 S500 Designo
Just remove it. Mercedes only installed it because audi faced legal trouble, the shift lever is already designed in such a way to avoid accidental use. The entire "feature" is for idiots. Mercedes didn't do this in their older vehicles (with the same style of shifter)
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 20
Likes: 3
2004 s500 4matic
It's a small plastic piece
It's a small plastic piece that's controlled by a solenoid. Sounds like your specific issue is the solenoid itself. I removed the broken plastic thing and it worked fine after that. You can find pictures everywhere. The whole console and shifter has to come out and it's a pain. I hired a mobile mechanic to do mine because no regular shop is going to remove safety stuff. I'd also check your brake lights. The brake switch will lock up the shifter also
Last edited by briknope; Feb 7, 2023 at 04:01 PM. Reason: Add more
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 10
Likes: 2
From: Norway
211
I can’t seem to find any pictures of the plastic thing everyone is talking about. I just find several post of people talking about it.
I have thought about the solenoid, but I do hear a click from the shifter when I press the brake. If i have understood correctly, this means the solenoid is fine
I have thought about the solenoid, but I do hear a click from the shifter when I press the brake. If i have understood correctly, this means the solenoid is fine
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 439
From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
Google (or Duck-Duck-Go) is your friend.
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/sh.../#post-3577185
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/sh.../#post-5696819
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/sh...#post-11438137
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/sh...#post-17261082
There are over twenty pages of posts on this problem.
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/sh.../#post-3577185
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/sh.../#post-5696819
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/sh...#post-11438137
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/sh...#post-17261082
There are over twenty pages of posts on this problem.
