Get a solution to your Mercedes Benz stuck shift in park problem with these few straightforward steps.
Have you ever started your Mercedes-Benz but discovered that the transmission gear selector refused to shift from Park (P) to Drive (D)? Or have you ever turned off the car but been unable to put the gear lever back into Park position? Don’t get upset, it’s not a transmission problem. Some troubleshooting steps can help you quickly resolve the issue.
This article will show you how to manually get the car out of park and how to troubleshoot gear selector issues without the help of a mechanic.
Mercedes Benz Gear Shift Problems ( Mercedes Gear Lever Stuck: Problem and Solutions )
If your Mercedes-Benz automatic transmission gear selector is stuck, you can manually move the gear lever from park (P) to drive (D) using the gear lever override function found on almost all Mercedes-Benz models, including C-Class, E-Class, CL-Class, ML-Class, SLK-Class, and other models.
Mercedes Gear Lever Stuck in Park Problem
If your car starts fine, but you can’t get the gear lever into Drive and you notice the gear lever is stuck, some symptoms may accompany it:
- Mercedes stuck in Park (P) and refuses to shift to D or N.
- It may be stuck in D, R, N and will not return to Park (P).
- Unable to remove the keys from the ignition.
- Unable to get the Mercedes transmission into gear.
- Mercedes gear lever is stuck in park.
- Mercedes starts, but the transmission fails to shift.
- The gear lever cannot be put back into park (P) position and you cannot remove the key from the ignition.
- The gear selection indicator P, N, R, D on the dashboard does not reveal the correct gear.
Mercedes-Benz cars equipped with an automatic transmission have a gear selector lock safety device. When you turn off the ignition, this safety device locks the gear lever in the Park position. To move the gear lever from Park to Drive, reinsert the key into the ignition and turn it to the on position.
The locking mechanism allows the gear lever to come out of park mode when you press the brake pedal and when you turn the ignition to position I, II, or Run.
Common Causes Mercedes Benz Gear Shift is Stuck in Park
The list of the most common reasons why the gear selector won’t come out of or go into park and won’t shift includes:
- Faulty brake light switch
- Low voltage or dead battery
- Spilled liquid on the gear lever assembly
- Faulty gear shift lock solenoid
- Faulty Engine Control Unit (ECU)
- Faulty Transmission Control Unit (TCU)
- Broken shift cable or bent/loose shift rod
Possible Solutions| Mercedes Gear Lever Unlocking
If your Mercedes-Benz gear lever fails to come out of park, first check the battery. After verifying the battery is fully charged, look for a faulty brake light switch or a damaged gear shift module.
Brake Light Switch
It is common for the brake light switch to fail. This is often the cause of a transmission stuck in Park. When this happens, the gear lever will not release unless you press the brake pedal, which is proper operation. Once the brake light switch stops working correctly, the gear lever won’t be able to tell if you are pressing the brake pedal or not, causing it to stay in park. Avoid checking if the brake lights are working to determine whether the brake light switch is working or not. This is not an ideal test to determine if the brake light switch is working.
A major symptom you easily notice when the brake light switch fails and you can’t get the car out of park is that the ESP, ABS, or BAS lights will also come on. This indicates that the brake light switch may need replacement.
Gear Lever Assembly
The gear shift assembly can malfunction due to wear or internal failure. The gear shift lock solenoid, located inside the gear shift assembly, can fail. The plastic parts inside the gear lever can fail. If this happens, you will need to manually get the car out of park while waiting for the part replacement.
Note:
You can check the gear selector on your instrument cluster. If it does not display the current position of the gear lever such as P, R, N, D, it’s probably a good sign that the gear shift module is faulty.
Battery
Low or flat battery voltage is a common cause for the gear lever not being able to come out of park. You should replace a discharged battery before proceeding with other repairs. It is quite simple to replace your car’s battery.
Ignition Switch
The ignition switch must be in position I, II, or the engine running. After turning the key to any of these positions, the gear lever is unlocked from park, via a cable or an electronic switch. If the cable or the ignition switch fails, the gear lever may remain stuck in park.
Mercedes Gear Lever Unlocking | How to Manually Release the Gear Lever Stuck in Park
Avoid forcing the gear lever to shift, as you can break other parts by forcing the car to move. As an alternative, try the following steps to manually get your car out of park. Additionally, you can also use the same procedure to move the gear lever from neutral or reverse to park position.
Steps to Get Your Mercedes Out of Park
- Apply your car’s emergency brakes.
- Insert the key into the ignition and turn it to position I, II, or start the car. Starting the car is not mandatory but optional.
- While following these instructions, press and hold the brake pedal to prevent the car from rolling.
- Locate the gear lever lock/override on the center console. It is located near the gear lever. You will notice a small plastic cap covering this port.
- Remove the small plastic cover that is used to store coins. You can use a screwdriver to pry it open.
- You can press the manual unlock button using a screwdriver. Press and hold the override switch.
- Use the screwdriver to push the unlock tab to release the gear lever.
Troubleshooting a Stuck Gear Lever That Won’t Start
Step 1
Turn the key to position II and press the brake pedal several times, this will make the solenoid inside the gear lever come out of park. Listen for a click from the gear shift module, you might hear the solenoid unlocking. If you hear the click, it’s a good sign. This means the ignition is stimulating the locking mechanism and allowing the gear selector lever to come out of the PARK position.
Step 2
Read the fault codes by getting an advanced diagnostic scanner. Alternatively, you can get a diagnostic scanner, they are inexpensive and easy to use. Using an OBD2 scanner is simple, even for a novice. see these very cheap ones on Amazon below.
Step 3
After step 2, remove the brake light switch and troubleshoot it using a digital multimeter. If you have no knowledge of how a multimeter works, you can replace the brake light switch instead of testing it. The brake light switch is very cheap.
Step 4
If the Mercedes-Benz gear lever still cannot be moved out of the park position, the gear lever selection module may be faulty. This could be due to a broken plastic lever inside the gear lever or spilled drinks on the center console. You can open the gear shift module and then proceed to replace the broken plastic part.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Is the Gear Lever Lock Function Required?
The Shift Lock mechanism is a safety device on the car and YES, it is required. This is because it prevents the car from accidentally coming out of park.
Do All Benz Cars Have a Gear Lever Unlock or Override Mechanism?
Yes, all older and newer models have a gear lever lock function.
I Still Can’t Get My Mercedes-Benz Out of Park After Trying Manual Unlock
Use another object to manually release the gear lever.
Can I Lubricate the Gear Shift Mechanism?
Caution must be exercised when lubricating parts of the gear shift mechanism. Avoid getting fluid into the electronic components of the gear lever. You can lubricate the moving parts as well as the ball and metal with steam. Seek the services of a professional mechanic if you are unsure which parts to lubricate.
How Can I Get My Mercedes-Benz Out of PARK for Towing?
You can achieve this by using the method described above to get your Mercedes-Benz out of park.
I Can’t Find a Gear Lever Release on My Mercedes-Benz?
Some Mercedes-Benz models such as the S-Class W220 and CL-Class do not have a hole to manually release the gear lever from park. In this case, you can manually move it to park.
Final Note on Mercedes Benz Gear Shift Stuck in Park and Mercedes Gear Lever Unlocking
If the gear lever refuses to come out of park unless you press the brakes, you should first check the brake light switch. You can ask someone to watch the brake lights when you press the pedal. If the brake lights come on, it means that part is in good condition. Then you need to look for a faulty gear shift lock solenoid by pressing the brake pedal and listening for a click.
The sound indicates that the solenoid is working properly.
If your car passed both tests listed above, the problem may be caused by a broken plastic piece inside the gear lever assembly. These plastic bits break all the time, causing a stuck gear lever. Some mechanics may simply replace the entire gear lever assembly, which costs about $1,200.00 at the dealer.
I hope this article was able to resolve your Mercedes Benz gear shift problems