Stuck in Park - a result!
Discussion
Happy New Year to all PH's!
I have a 2001 CLK which stuck in park on Boxing Day...... I have fixed it and will pass on how I did it. This could well work for most Auto gearbox Mercs.
I managed to overide the system at the roadside by inserting a pen into the small flap immediatly in front of the gear select track which the gear leaver sticks out of in the centre console, thus un-locking the gate, getting into D and driving home.
As you are all aware, normally you need to press the foot brake before the gear selector will unlock and allow you to move it from P. I initially suspected the fault was to do with the switch at the top of the brake pedal which also switches the brake lights on. I asumed (incorrectly) this was OK as the brake lights sill worked fine while the gear lock-out fault continued. I then discovered that this single switch is really 3 x switches in one and mine had partually failed by not signalling to the lock on the gear selector anymore.....
I obtained a new switch for £10.78 and it was relatively easy to drop the under dash panel and remove the switch by twisting it 90 degrees in it's keyhole mounting (a clever, quick and simple idea which requires no switch adjustment when re-installed) The switch has two multi plug electrical cable connectors which need to be gently removed and transferred to the new unit. Replacing the new unit took seconds and the under dash cover soon followed. Back on the road in 15 mins!
My car has done around 85K and is 11 years old. When I dismanteled the old switch, it was sticking and the 3 x electrical switch contacts inside did look tired. I hope this helps anyone with the same 'lock-out' problem and I because the switch is so cheap and easy to replace, I would recommend you change yours as part of your preventative maintenance plan on older cars.
I have a 2001 CLK which stuck in park on Boxing Day...... I have fixed it and will pass on how I did it. This could well work for most Auto gearbox Mercs.
I managed to overide the system at the roadside by inserting a pen into the small flap immediatly in front of the gear select track which the gear leaver sticks out of in the centre console, thus un-locking the gate, getting into D and driving home.
As you are all aware, normally you need to press the foot brake before the gear selector will unlock and allow you to move it from P. I initially suspected the fault was to do with the switch at the top of the brake pedal which also switches the brake lights on. I asumed (incorrectly) this was OK as the brake lights sill worked fine while the gear lock-out fault continued. I then discovered that this single switch is really 3 x switches in one and mine had partually failed by not signalling to the lock on the gear selector anymore.....
I obtained a new switch for £10.78 and it was relatively easy to drop the under dash panel and remove the switch by twisting it 90 degrees in it's keyhole mounting (a clever, quick and simple idea which requires no switch adjustment when re-installed) The switch has two multi plug electrical cable connectors which need to be gently removed and transferred to the new unit. Replacing the new unit took seconds and the under dash cover soon followed. Back on the road in 15 mins!
My car has done around 85K and is 11 years old. When I dismanteled the old switch, it was sticking and the 3 x electrical switch contacts inside did look tired. I hope this helps anyone with the same 'lock-out' problem and I because the switch is so cheap and easy to replace, I would recommend you change yours as part of your preventative maintenance plan on older cars.
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