I have a 98 CLK 320. 3 days ago drive didn't engage when I shifted into D. I pressed the accelerator slightly, then it engaged after making a "thunk" sound. when I arrived at my destination, I parked the car and shut it off. When I returned, I could not get it to engage in reverse, and it seems the gear selector is inaccurate. I had it towed home and went in through the console to check the upper bushings as I thought that may be the problem. No luck .
The gear selector is completely inaccurate. I can only occasionally get reverse to engage. Drive will engage but is sluggish to start and sometimes jerks into gear.
My greatest concern is sometimes when transmission is engaged it makes an awful grinding noise and will shift out of gear.

I have no idea where to begin. Don't have the cash to take to the dealer.
Any help?

 

If you're getting a grinding noise, that is not good. sounds like a Big problem.

 

Thank you for the reply Chassis, Is it possible that this is caused by an electronics failure in the gear selector box? or is it definitely internal component failure.

 

ive seen many transmission issues, but when the transmission is grinding, that's a problem. Usually when its an electrical problem the car either wont come out of P and wont shift gears. Can you still see what gear you are in, in the instrument cluster? it usually will show, P,R,N,D?? Do you have a transmission fluid leak? does the car still drive? and shift gears while driving?