Hello,

I have a 2002 s430 and I drove it to work and back with no problem however I just started it back up and it simply will not shift out of park. I called roadside assistance but they said there was no manual override for this vehicle model and that I would have to take it into a dealership to get it looked at which is why I'm posting on here before I do so.

When I apply the brakes something makes a click sound underneath the shifter assembly, the brake lights work but it will not shift out of park.

Is there something corroded or something possibly faulting in the shift assembly / brake setup? I've also never spilled anything at all on the shift assembly.

If anyone has had this happen to them and knows a fix I would greatly appreciate it.

 

usually its the brake switch that does go bad. but just because you hear it ckick doesnt mean that is it working. and sometimes just the shifter itself just craps out.

 

I'm not sure about your vehicle, but in the Owner's Manual for a 2000 C280, it shows a procedure to MANUALLY DISENGAGE the 'Park Lock-Out" assy using a pen/pencil by inserting it near the bottom of the gear selector plate bezel at the center console shifter area. Check your Owner's Manual thoroughly for any info on this. In fact, reading your Owner's Manual from 'cover to cover' can be quite informative about many different operating idiosyncrasies for your car.

Hope this helps.

 

I can tell you right now im 99.9% sure that its your ESM (Electronic Shifter Module), the shifter assembly. I work for a Mercedes-Benz
dealership and thats a very commom issue with those vehicles.

 

i have the same problem that my 2000 S430 all of a sudden wont shift out of park and i have my BAS, ESP, ABS lights come on and my back brake lights wont work. I replaced my brake light switch today and still same problem any suggestions??

 

attention mercedes benz owners?? Like admandy says... We need to pettion mercedes as to get this as a recall... This thing is expensive... I am going to email HELP ME HOWARD on WPIX channel 11 news to see if and how to go about making this a international problem. This happens because a little green plastic bushing underneath the shifter assembly wears out. the damn part cost me $3.63. FROM MERCEDES BENZ OF FAIRFIELD!! Yes people no typo... I said $3.63. Wtf??? But.... Try gettin it installed at the dealer???? Over $1000 when you add roadside service.... Will you follow my posts to see how far i get with this??? Anyone who has this problem let me know your year and models.... I have 2001 e430, my brother has 2000 cl500 and keep finding more people.... Sad... And the part is so cheap! They need to reinvent this damn thing!!

 

2004 s430 has the same problem car stuck in lark after calling road side they suggested that I push shifter foward very firmly a couple time the go into drive I tried it a couple of times and it worked car went into drive.I was convinced that I needed a tow that was a close.91000k I know this problem isn't going away until its fixed.someone suggested strange voltages and modules don't agree I had some body work done on the right rear end bumper tail light could that have affected the sensors through out the vehicle?

 

This happened to me and I had to replace the shifting interlock module,,,there is a flipper hole just below drive you can stick a number two pencil in and slightly dpress and it will shift out of park,,,it is woodgrain at least on mine but it will depress with a pensil

 

did you ever get the recall on this problem?