SL/R230: My SL600 is stuck in PARK. Help!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 44
Likes: 3
From: New York
GLC 300; SL 600
My SL600 is stuck in PARK. Help!
Hello All.
2008 SL600, with 51,000 miles on it. Well maintained.
It is currently in my driveway.
When I got into it this morning, it started up fine, but it will not shift out of Park. The shifter will absolutely not move.
Got any ideas what the problem is, or how to fix this? I'm hesitant to drive it, because it might leave me stranded miles from home.
Many thanks.
2008 SL600, with 51,000 miles on it. Well maintained.
It is currently in my driveway.
When I got into it this morning, it started up fine, but it will not shift out of Park. The shifter will absolutely not move.
Got any ideas what the problem is, or how to fix this? I'm hesitant to drive it, because it might leave me stranded miles from home.
Many thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,481
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95 SL600
There is a park lock lever in the shifter that has broken. It can be replaced with an aftermarket one, or the dealer can put a new shifter in. Getting it out of park will be difficult, and it needs to come out of park to get the shifter out.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 44
Likes: 3
From: New York
GLC 300; SL 600
Many thanks for the good info.
Question: if the dealer replaces the shifter, how reliable will that be? Is it likely to last a long time?
I'm asking because I don't want this to happen when I'm 30 miles from home.
Thanks again.
Question: if the dealer replaces the shifter, how reliable will that be? Is it likely to last a long time?
I'm asking because I don't want this to happen when I'm 30 miles from home.
Thanks again.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1,329
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From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
Remove the shift knob (pull up the boot, turn the lock collar, pull the knob straight up), take a soft face mallet or 2x4 and give a sharp downward rap to the top of the shift lever while applying slight pressure to the right and gently pulling back on the lever. FYI, dealer repair will probably run around $2k, DIY repair with improved lever will run about $30. Welcome to the wonderful world of German plastics.
Member
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 124
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From: Celebration FL
2007 Mercedes SL55 AMG
It would be fine as they will replace it with an Aluminum one, friend had that happen with his SL500. Took it to the dealer for them to replace as he doesn't like to get his hands greasy. That's what MB did according to him... never mentioned the price.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1,329
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From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
An MB dealer will not replace the lever, they will replace the entire shifter. As far as I know, the OE part is still plastic. That said, the part breaks due to aging, so a new shifter will probably last longer than you own the car. Some independent MB shops will replace the lever with the aftermarket aluminum one.
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Joined: Sep 2007
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95 SL600
Most around here are DIY, but if the dealer fixes it it will be costly.
Last edited by cdk4219; Aug 21, 2023 at 10:51 AM.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 44
Likes: 3
From: New York
GLC 300; SL 600
I had two tow truck drivers look at my car.
Both of them said there's a an "override" button somewhere on the car that will allow the shifter to shift into neutral.
However, neither one of them could find it, and they left me here with a disabled car.
Any idea where this button is?
I need it, because I don't want this car "dragged" out of my driveway, and then "dragged" onto a tow truck.
Many thanks.
Both of them said there's a an "override" button somewhere on the car that will allow the shifter to shift into neutral.
However, neither one of them could find it, and they left me here with a disabled car.
Any idea where this button is?
I need it, because I don't want this car "dragged" out of my driveway, and then "dragged" onto a tow truck.
Many thanks.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 44
Likes: 3
From: New York
GLC 300; SL 600
Thanks All, for the great info.
I have a tow truck on the way, with (supposedly) jacks and dollies so the car can roll onto the truck, rather than being dragged.
One more question: I assume the aluminum lever will last longer than the plastic one. If I ask MB to put the aluminum one in, will they do it?
Thanks again. Y'all are amazing.
I have a tow truck on the way, with (supposedly) jacks and dollies so the car can roll onto the truck, rather than being dragged.
One more question: I assume the aluminum lever will last longer than the plastic one. If I ask MB to put the aluminum one in, will they do it?
Thanks again. Y'all are amazing.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,481
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95 SL600
Probably not, they will probably put a new shifter in. The aluminum part is an aftermarket part not a factory part.
You may get an independent shop to do it, but I don’t see the dealer doing this. they won’t make any money on the parts which is how they make money. Lots of dealerships won’t even work in cars older than 15 years, so get ready for that.
You may get an independent shop to do it, but I don’t see the dealer doing this. they won’t make any money on the parts which is how they make money. Lots of dealerships won’t even work in cars older than 15 years, so get ready for that.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 38
Likes: 5
'07 SL550, '09 GL320
It’s not always the shifter!!!
@Irishscholar. I had this similar situation happen to me a few years ago in a hotel parking lot. Many suggested the shifter broke, but it was actually a very simple fix. When you put your foot on the brake to start the car, there’s a relay, just above the brake, which releases the shift lockout.
This same relay turns on the 3rd brake light if I remember correctly. I replaced this relay and the problem was solved. I hope you have a simple solution, too!
This same relay turns on the 3rd brake light if I remember correctly. I replaced this relay and the problem was solved. I hope you have a simple solution, too!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 44
Likes: 3
From: New York
GLC 300; SL 600
Many thanks for the good info.
So, I had it towed to Mercedes.
Towing it was very difficult (and expensive!), because I backed the car into my driveway, and (of course) the rear wheels were frozen.
The driver lifted the front end, then put "dollies" around the rear wheels, which also lifted the rear end (they're a bit like training wheels).
I'm not a mechanic, so MB will take care of the problem. If they have to replace the entire shift mechanism, so be it.
While they're at it, I may have them replace the wood-grain surround (it has a hairline crack in it), and the shift boot (just because it would look new).
I've already had a lot of work done on the car, so I view this as part of a process that's coming close to a restoration.
The car is very special, so, while painful, I consider it money well spent.
Also, if this prevents the problem from happening while I'm away from home on a cold winter night, then it was a very good investment.
Thanks again!
So, I had it towed to Mercedes.
Towing it was very difficult (and expensive!), because I backed the car into my driveway, and (of course) the rear wheels were frozen.
The driver lifted the front end, then put "dollies" around the rear wheels, which also lifted the rear end (they're a bit like training wheels).
I'm not a mechanic, so MB will take care of the problem. If they have to replace the entire shift mechanism, so be it.
While they're at it, I may have them replace the wood-grain surround (it has a hairline crack in it), and the shift boot (just because it would look new).
I've already had a lot of work done on the car, so I view this as part of a process that's coming close to a restoration.
The car is very special, so, while painful, I consider it money well spent.
Also, if this prevents the problem from happening while I'm away from home on a cold winter night, then it was a very good investment.
Thanks again!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,361
Likes: 230
SL55, S500
Good-luck Irish. I would’ve suggested some massive force to jerk it. If the piece has a hairline crack. If it’s totally snapped there’s no way to move it. I was using brute force for months till I replaced the peice.
Goodluck at the dealer they will replace the shifter- it will be another plastic peice in the unit but I think a little thicker.
Let us know the quote. Even independent shops replace the shifter all together but you need to go thru mb because it’s considered an anti theft item.
Goodluck at the dealer they will replace the shifter- it will be another plastic peice in the unit but I think a little thicker.
Let us know the quote. Even independent shops replace the shifter all together but you need to go thru mb because it’s considered an anti theft item.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,361
Likes: 230
SL55, S500
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,481
Likes: 310
95 SL600
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 44
Likes: 3
From: New York
GLC 300; SL 600
Many thanks for the great info.
My car is in MB right now. I believe they are going to replace the entire shifter mechanism.
The bill will be north of $2000. It's a big hit, but I really have no choice.
Possibly a silly question, but... I've heard that the broken piece is plastic. How important is it to get the metal piece as a replacement? I'm thinking that metal is preferable to plastic, but the MB engineers opted for plastic, so it makes me wonder.
Thanks again.
My car is in MB right now. I believe they are going to replace the entire shifter mechanism.
The bill will be north of $2000. It's a big hit, but I really have no choice.
Possibly a silly question, but... I've heard that the broken piece is plastic. How important is it to get the metal piece as a replacement? I'm thinking that metal is preferable to plastic, but the MB engineers opted for plastic, so it makes me wonder.
Thanks again.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 38
Likes: 5
'07 SL550, '09 GL320
As a reminder…..
Many thanks for the great info.
My car is in MB right now. I believe they are going to replace the entire shifter mechanism.
The bill will be north of $2000. It's a big hit, but I really have no choice.
Possibly a silly question, but... I've heard that the broken piece is plastic. How important is it to get the metal piece as a replacement? I'm thinking that metal is preferable to plastic, but the MB engineers opted for plastic, so it makes me wonder.
Thanks again.
My car is in MB right now. I believe they are going to replace the entire shifter mechanism.
The bill will be north of $2000. It's a big hit, but I really have no choice.
Possibly a silly question, but... I've heard that the broken piece is plastic. How important is it to get the metal piece as a replacement? I'm thinking that metal is preferable to plastic, but the MB engineers opted for plastic, so it makes me wonder.
Thanks again.
