Mercedes-Benz W220 gear lever stuck in P
S500S320
W220 gear lever won't come out of P, what is the cause?
The lever is locked electrically, and a solenoid releases it only when the brake is pressed. If the solenoid gets no power, the lever stays in P. The cause can be the brake light switch, a fuse or the wiring.
Where should I start troubleshooting?
First check the fuses and the brake light switch. When the brake is pressed, a click should be heard from under the lever, which shows that the solenoid is getting power. After that check the control unit wiring, the cable and dirt at the base of the lever.
Can the fault be mechanical?
Yes. The plastic part of the locking mechanism can break, or the gear selector can come off the shift lever unit, so the lever feels loose or gets stuck. The part is usually replaced only as a whole, so have a workshop assess the fault.
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