The Transmission Won#039;t Shift in My 2002 Mercedes


1. Put your foot on the brake and attempt to move the gear shift out of park. The park-brake interlock system will not allow you to move your car's shift stick into position unless your foot is on the brake. By applying the brake you will be able to shift freely.
2. Remove the console covering the shifter. The console can be easily removed to check for other problems if applying the brake does not work. The Mercedes-Benz has cupholders near the base of the transmission shift stick. If spilled liquid enters the shifting console it can stop it from functioning.
3. Use a clean cloth soaked in an alcohol solution to clean the inside of the stick shift. Make sure you remove any residue that might be causing the issue.
4. Locate the safety override button near the base of the shifter mechanism if these solutions fail to fix the problem. Pushing this button will override the park brake interlock system and allow you to drive your car to be serviced. If you need to resort to this step it is likely that the solenoid or cable mechanism is broken and needs repair.