SL350 auto sticking gearbox in PARK
Discussion
Hi, I have tried to search this subject unsuccessfully. Have a 350SL 2004 auto. The car has started to get 'stuck' in Park. It eventually relents after 10 minutes or so. No problems going from Drive-Neutral-Reverse, just getting out of Park. Just wondered if anyone else has had the same. I'm assuming it's a sensor connected to the brake pedal, but not entirely sure. Any advice??
Hi,
Unfortunately it's a common problem on Mercedes of that era.
It's connected to the safety switch that requires you depress the brake pedal before disengaging 'park'.
A cheap plastic part in the gear selector (costing pennies) fails after time and eventually the selector will stick in park permanently. It will save a lot of time, money and effort if you can get it fixed before this happens.(Park in Neutral and use the handbrake)
Unfortunately Mercedes will tell you you have to change the whole selector mechanism at a cost of £850 (plus labour). Alternatively, somebody in Australia has reversed engineered the plastic part in more sturdy aluminium - or do what i did - remove the offending part and throw it away!
I don't need an idiot switch to remind me to apply the brake before engaging drive.
There are quite a few threads on American Mercedes websites concerning this problem, with some diagrams and photos of the offending part.
Hope this helps a little.
Good luck S.T.
Unfortunately it's a common problem on Mercedes of that era.
It's connected to the safety switch that requires you depress the brake pedal before disengaging 'park'.
A cheap plastic part in the gear selector (costing pennies) fails after time and eventually the selector will stick in park permanently. It will save a lot of time, money and effort if you can get it fixed before this happens.(Park in Neutral and use the handbrake)
Unfortunately Mercedes will tell you you have to change the whole selector mechanism at a cost of £850 (plus labour). Alternatively, somebody in Australia has reversed engineered the plastic part in more sturdy aluminium - or do what i did - remove the offending part and throw it away!
I don't need an idiot switch to remind me to apply the brake before engaging drive.
There are quite a few threads on American Mercedes websites concerning this problem, with some diagrams and photos of the offending part.
Hope this helps a little.
Good luck S.T.
Ok here's some advice that will save you a pretty penny.
After spending a few hours I was unable to fully remove the ESM from my car (electronic shifter model). However my friendly mercedes Benz dealer was able to remove it for me and put it back in once I removed the offending part for £150. PM me for details.
The plastic lever fractures and may even still look operational once in the ESM. Monoglobal is an Australian company that makes a replacement aluminium part which will not fail in the same manner.
After spending a few hours I was unable to fully remove the ESM from my car (electronic shifter model). However my friendly mercedes Benz dealer was able to remove it for me and put it back in once I removed the offending part for £150. PM me for details.
The plastic lever fractures and may even still look operational once in the ESM. Monoglobal is an Australian company that makes a replacement aluminium part which will not fail in the same manner.
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