Stuck in Park
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 749
Likes: 8
From: The Bay. We Fresh.
2008 W211 E63
Stuck in Park
Thought I'd share this with you guys in case you need to get out of jam or not wait 2 hours for roadside assistance like I had to for a 10 second fix.
My brake-switch completely failed yesterday afternoon as I was leaving for a client meeting. The car stared with no problem, but would not shift out of park at all.
MB Roadside assistance said they would have to tow my car to the dealership if they could not get it to move. Needless to say my meeting was screwed and I was stuck.
After waiting two hours the tow truck driver showed up and asked to look inside the car. He turned the car on, whipped out a screwdriver and pushed down into a little slot right under the -D+ on the shifter while depressing the brake pedal. Once he did that he was able to shift out of park and was able to move the car.
I was able to replicate what he did with a pen. Pretty simple solution, better than waiting for someone to come do it for you. I had never noticed that slot before since it is covered with a piece of plastic that flips down when you push something into it.
FYI, the dealer they were going to tow me too quoted $225 to replace the brake switch. Ummm, no thanks. Going to my guy to get it fixed today (so I don't have to keep a pen in my ashtray at all times) for much less.
My brake-switch completely failed yesterday afternoon as I was leaving for a client meeting. The car stared with no problem, but would not shift out of park at all.
MB Roadside assistance said they would have to tow my car to the dealership if they could not get it to move. Needless to say my meeting was screwed and I was stuck.
After waiting two hours the tow truck driver showed up and asked to look inside the car. He turned the car on, whipped out a screwdriver and pushed down into a little slot right under the -D+ on the shifter while depressing the brake pedal. Once he did that he was able to shift out of park and was able to move the car.
I was able to replicate what he did with a pen. Pretty simple solution, better than waiting for someone to come do it for you. I had never noticed that slot before since it is covered with a piece of plastic that flips down when you push something into it.
FYI, the dealer they were going to tow me too quoted $225 to replace the brake switch. Ummm, no thanks. Going to my guy to get it fixed today (so I don't have to keep a pen in my ashtray at all times) for much less.
Last edited by SleepersRock; Feb 7, 2013 at 12:01 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 561
Likes: 4
moon buggy
If you have the owner's manual, it's in there.
After waiting two hours the tow truck driver showed up and asked to look inside the car. He turned the car on, whipped out a screwdriver and pushed down into a little slot right under the -D+ on the shifter while depressing the brake pedal. Once he did that he was able to shift out of park and was able to move the car.
I was able to replicate what he did with a pen. Pretty simple solution, better than waiting for someone to come do it for you. I had never noticed that slot before since it is covered with a piece of plastic that flips down when you push something into it.
FYI, the dealer they were going to tow me too quoted $225 to replace the brake switch. Ummm, no thanks. Going to my guy to get it fixed today (so I don't have to keep a pen in my ashtray at all times) for much less.
After waiting two hours the tow truck driver showed up and asked to look inside the car. He turned the car on, whipped out a screwdriver and pushed down into a little slot right under the -D+ on the shifter while depressing the brake pedal. Once he did that he was able to shift out of park and was able to move the car.
I was able to replicate what he did with a pen. Pretty simple solution, better than waiting for someone to come do it for you. I had never noticed that slot before since it is covered with a piece of plastic that flips down when you push something into it.
FYI, the dealer they were going to tow me too quoted $225 to replace the brake switch. Ummm, no thanks. Going to my guy to get it fixed today (so I don't have to keep a pen in my ashtray at all times) for much less.
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Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Richmond, CA
2001 E320 Wagon, 2006 LBZ Silverado, 2007 E63 (sold), 2001 E55 (sold)
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,249
Likes: 257
From: Richmond, CA
2001 E320 Wagon, 2006 LBZ Silverado, 2007 E63 (sold), 2001 E55 (sold)
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 561
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moon buggy
Banned
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so i didn't knew 
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 749
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From: The Bay. We Fresh.
2008 W211 E63
