SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: MY SHIFTER GETS STUCK IN PARK SOMETIMES
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 356
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From: Toronto Ontario Canada
SL 55 AMG
MY SHIFTER GETS STUCK IN PARK SOMETIMES
Is this bad ? theres days where its fine and then theres days where i have to shake it too bring it down too Drive .
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Indiana
2003 AMG SL55, 2002 AMG CLK55, 2002 AMG ML55, 2005 ML350, 1995 S320 LWB - totaled
Sounds like the switch for the break pedal is failing. This switch tells the shifter it is safe to move from park to drive.
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From: Lynnwood in summer, Fountain Hills during the rainy season in Wa.
2008 Maserati QP EGT, 2005 SL55AMG , 2002 CLK55AMG 2002 C230K Coupe
Try pushing a little harder on the brake when moving the shifter from park to drive.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Toronto Ontario Canada
SL 55 AMG
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Plano, TX
AMG
Reminds me of the time when I was trying to go from drive to park and it wouldn't do it.. until I realized by cell phone was in the way
could be a major transmission problem or a simple brake switch fix
could be a major transmission problem or a simple brake switch fix
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 12
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From: Tallinn, Estonia
SL55 SL600 BMW850
Hi, my 03 sl55 had the same problem 2 years ago.
Shifter would not move from P, stroking brakes repeatedly usually helped and I always got the shifter to move, even if sometimes it took a minute or so. Then one day it just would not move, after 15 minutes of vigourous stroking I called a tow truck, friend of mine at Tallinn MB dealership sorted it out in less than an hour.. it was the switch at break.
Cost was minimal, they cleaned the switch since there was no replacement in stock, guy told me to come back and replace the switch if this was to happen again. It has been 2 summers now, everything is fine, never replaced the switch.
Shifter would not move from P, stroking brakes repeatedly usually helped and I always got the shifter to move, even if sometimes it took a minute or so. Then one day it just would not move, after 15 minutes of vigourous stroking I called a tow truck, friend of mine at Tallinn MB dealership sorted it out in less than an hour.. it was the switch at break.
Cost was minimal, they cleaned the switch since there was no replacement in stock, guy told me to come back and replace the switch if this was to happen again. It has been 2 summers now, everything is fine, never replaced the switch.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 356
Likes: 1
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
SL 55 AMG
Hi, my 03 sl55 had the same problem 2 years ago.
Shifter would not move from P, stroking brakes repeatedly usually helped and I always got the shifter to move, even if sometimes it took a minute or so. Then one day it just would not move, after 15 minutes of vigourous stroking I called a tow truck, friend of mine at Tallinn MB dealership sorted it out in less than an hour.. it was the switch at break.
Cost was minimal, they cleaned the switch since there was no replacement in stock, guy told me to come back and replace the switch if this was to happen again. It has been 2 summers now, everything is fine, never replaced the switch.
Shifter would not move from P, stroking brakes repeatedly usually helped and I always got the shifter to move, even if sometimes it took a minute or so. Then one day it just would not move, after 15 minutes of vigourous stroking I called a tow truck, friend of mine at Tallinn MB dealership sorted it out in less than an hour.. it was the switch at break.
Cost was minimal, they cleaned the switch since there was no replacement in stock, guy told me to come back and replace the switch if this was to happen again. It has been 2 summers now, everything is fine, never replaced the switch.
where is the break switch located ???
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From: Rocklin, CA
2003 SL55, 2006 CLK500, 1998 Vette
I had the same thing happen to me but with me I waited until the last minute and the car finally give out and would not shift out of park at all. This happened at the grocery store. I had the car towed to MB and they ended replacing the entire shifter. I had warranty but parts and labor were about $700 or so.
They told me it is a silonoid switch in the shifter that is due to a bad design of the shifter which does release when it senses the parking brake pressed. It stopped working. They also said the new shifter would eventually have the same problem in about 5-7 years which is rediculous to me. According to the dealer the design was not chnaged on the new shifter assembly at all.
They told me it is a silonoid switch in the shifter that is due to a bad design of the shifter which does release when it senses the parking brake pressed. It stopped working. They also said the new shifter would eventually have the same problem in about 5-7 years which is rediculous to me. According to the dealer the design was not chnaged on the new shifter assembly at all.
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From: Oklahoma
SLK55AMG, SL600
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From: Puerto Rico
2005 SL55 AMG, 1986 Porsche 930S, 1996 Porsche 993tt
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Toronto Ontario Canada
SL 55 AMG
well just now i was playing with the break pedal and shifter and i can hear a sound everytime i press the break .... like a clicking sound, CLICK!!! it works .... i press the break again, CLICK!!! it works again ..... then i push the break again NO CLICK ... doesnt move . till i hear the CLICK! thats when it always works ...
Also i notice when i hold the shifter more too the right and dont let it sit towards the left side of the track, it works PERFECT. the minute i let it sit on the left side in PARK the shifter then has problems clicking . I kinda figured out how to make it always work .. but im scared if i do take this benz for a long distance trip and it doesnt work. then im screwed ... ugh!!!
this is my 1st real problem since buying the car lastyear .
Also i notice when i hold the shifter more too the right and dont let it sit towards the left side of the track, it works PERFECT. the minute i let it sit on the left side in PARK the shifter then has problems clicking . I kinda figured out how to make it always work .. but im scared if i do take this benz for a long distance trip and it doesnt work. then im screwed ... ugh!!!
this is my 1st real problem since buying the car lastyear .
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Brooklyn, NY/Tampa, FL
2005 BLK/BLK E-Double Nickel.
Yeah I would feel the same exact way!!! Go get it checked out maybe by a independent mercedes tech in your area. This has also happened to my boy with a sl55 in his case they changed the whole shifter assembly. It seems 50/50 on the switch and 50/50 on the assembly. whatever it is, you should deal with it asap, you would hate for an emergency situation to occur and you can't make moves... good luck with it.....`
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 356
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From: Toronto Ontario Canada
SL 55 AMG
so i went in too see wat was wrong..... they hooked my car up too a computer and it said my shifter box was shot . so now i have to replace my whole shifter. its gonna cost me 1200 .
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From: Brooklyn, NY/Tampa, FL
2005 BLK/BLK E-Double Nickel.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 14
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From: NH
SL55 amg
shifty
Yeah, I had an SL500 before I had my SL55, same issue. Plastic ring on inside of shifter broke.....wouldn't happen if they put a better one there, 
$10 part....$561 labor...
My SL55 has a warranty to prevent such random issues now
$10 part....$561 labor...
My SL55 has a warranty to prevent such random issues now
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 48
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From: U S A
CL55 AMG
My CL55 AMG is in the Dealership right now, they called back and said it was the Shifter Assembly and it needs to be replaced. Approximately $1,100.00, they are calling my warranty company now, it should be a covered component. I've had the car a month and day and it's been in the shop every week for something. last time was 1,000 in labor, $80 for 6 parts, including belt. Their labor is ridiculous. Since they didn't know how to install my bluetooth module I am nervouse they are just replacing parts versus making a real diagnosis. I hope there are no loopholes in my extended warranty, they ahve got to hate they sold me one!
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Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Dix Hills, New York
2012 C250 Coupe
I am having the same problem on my r230 SL500 right now. Takes me like 20 tries to get it out of park. I hear that it could be the solenoid in the shifter, the plastic piece that breaks, or the brake pedal switch. Why would the car have 2 things to tell the brake is depressed. If it was the brake pedal switch this would mean that the taillights would not go on, correct? If it was the solenoid, the brake lights would go on, but the car shifter will still not shift out of park? I will diagnose the problem later.
However, does anyone have a DIY or pictures for replacing either? Thanks so much!
However, does anyone have a DIY or pictures for replacing either? Thanks so much!
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 64
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From: new york
2004 sl500
Just picked my sl up yesterday from mb service. I was having the same problem where it kept getting stuck in park until one night when out to dinner it totaly locked and would not come out no matter what i tried(pushing brake harder,hammer,etc. So what I did was order the plastic gear select lever and attempted to replace it myself. The problem is the car needs to be in neutral to remove the console, So i cut the stem of the shifter with plans to have it welded. Once the console was removed you need to remove 3 screws holding the shifter, that are in awkward positions. I ended up stripping one, by then i was fed up and sent it to MB. I have a hook there where i was charged $500 for a whole new shifter and installation since MB does not change the plastic piece inside. I would definitly address the problem asap before it locks in park and not only will the shifter be stuck but you as well. Good luck
