Well, thanks everybody.

I pulled the entire console out and removed the shifter from the car. I popped the cover off and removed the switch.

The switch is closed when in P, R, N, or D. When the shifter is moved to the gate, ie, 4,3,2, the switch opens via a small mechanism.

I carefully disasembled the switch. It was clean, but I took an old points file I had and cleaned the contacts.

While I had the console apart, I cleaned 16 years of spilled coffee and found about 50 cents.

I put it all back together, and overdrive now seems to work as it should. I'll find out tomorrow when I'm on the road for a while.

So, it took me a liesurely 3.5 hours, so, I made about 15 cents an hour.

Again, thanks for the help!

__________________
Thank You!
Fred
2009 ML350
2004 SL600
2004 SL500
1996 SL600
2002 SLK32
2005 CLK320 cabrio
2003 ML350
1997 C280 Sport