I have a e320 2000 My wife just spilled a whole cup of pepsi on the gear shift. Some of the pepsi went down inside where you shift from. Now the car wont shift into a higher gear. She said it sounds like its in a lower gear when she drives. (this happened just 5 minutes ago) Do you know how I can fix this problem, does it need to dry or has everything fried. She put it in neutral, and now its staying in neutral and it wont come out. (i'm typing this as I'm talking to her on the phone, so please forgive me on the confusion)

 

the ESM got module inside.

it might correct the problem by just cleaning with CRC.

coke can turn into carbon when dried, and carbon is electrical conductor. this might be the reaon why it is malfunctioning. it disrupts the CAN signal.

 

lol truse me your wife is not the first person to do that as a matter of fact i replaced 3 esm modules for that just last week once there is anyliquid in it for that matter its done sorry. take it to your shop and have it replaced cause it wont correct itself once it dries

 

Depends how competent you are at DIY and how big your pocket is!.
I agree with Sleepwalker.
The module may work when it is dried out. However my own experience is that it needs to be washed (clean water) before it dries otherwise the sugar (carbon) that is deposited on the circuit board shorts the CAN signal.

Stuart