SL/R230: SL55 Shifter stuck in park.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
S 430
SL55 Shifter stuck in park.
I ahve read all about getting the shifter out of park by tapping with a hammer where the shifter goes into the console. I have been doing that for a few weeks. Havent had time to get the problem taken care of. Well yesterday that trick is not working anymore. IS there a way to disconect somthing or manualy get it into drive? i READ THINGS abiut the brake peddle switch and I also read somthing about using a 90 degree needle nose plyers to disconcet somthing in the shifter. What can I do? thanks.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
From: Montrose, CA
2007 SL550
Well, if you have a spare shifter rod or a welding kit, you can saw off the shifter so that you can take the console off around it to get in there to remove the catch, the way this guy did in https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...tuck-park.html. Either that or take it to the dealer.
The disconnect discussions I've heard are about when the solenoid doesn't work because it wasn't reconnected properly. The above post talks about that too. But unless you've had service recently, it seems more likely that the actual release lever is broken.
The first time the hammer trick works is when you resolve the problem. You've been doing this for weeks?
Now that it doesn't work any more, it sounds like you're pretty much screwed.
The disconnect discussions I've heard are about when the solenoid doesn't work because it wasn't reconnected properly. The above post talks about that too. But unless you've had service recently, it seems more likely that the actual release lever is broken.
The first time the hammer trick works is when you resolve the problem. You've been doing this for weeks?
Now that it doesn't work any more, it sounds like you're pretty much screwed.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
From: Montrose, CA
2007 SL550
I've heard folks recommend getting the DVD containing the service information for 2003-2006 at http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/o...stedDocId=9124 -- if this fits your year, that might work better in the long run.
As far as I remember from the post, there were two disconnects discussed: (1) the solenoid plug, which doesn't sound like your problem, or (2) removing the interlock mechanism entirely once the shifter was taken apart. #2 is what I'd do once I got the shifter out, but it won't help you get the shifter out in the first place.
