I think you can slide a pencil under the shifter somewhere,and there's a release.

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran, deutschland deutschland uber alles uber alles in der welt

I'm about 90 miles out of Savannah off I16 if you want to swing by the shop on the way home. Just let me know. I suspect you must have lost power to something.

Miguel (the world traveler from peachparts) is down there this weekend? If you want I can send you a phone # for him and he may have some contacts at the show that can help out.

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Jim

Don't know if that vehicle has it but maybe a SNAFU of the interlock cable system between the ignition/shifter/brake pedal?

Usually there is some small disguised opening in or around the shifter with a cover that can be popped off and a screwdriver or some similar tool can be reached down to physically override that interlock and allow the shifter to be moved even when the battery is dead or out. This is how a tow guy gets a vehicle out of park when the electric system is dead or not functioning.

If you've got the owner's manual it should say something about that feature if one is available on the vehicle.

Thanks for your thoughts on the problem.
I have to feel that it is water related and has to do with abs sensors. As preventative maintenance I remove and clean the “fuzz” off of them every couple of years. I don’t have my log with but recall doing it last summer.

All lights off this AM and all operating normal.

Got 6.0 litres / 100km
47.08 mpg imperial gallon
39.3 mpg US gallon. I likely would have done better if the cruise control was working.

When and assuming I get home at month end I will soak each wheel well and sensors one at a time to see if I can reproduce the problem. The car was parked during the rain with the passenger side slightly lower. Front right is my first suspect. I may use a dielectric grease on the connections depending on your opinions.

Thanks engatwork it could be back to normal but with a “water sensitive” will see how it goes.

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1999 Mercedes E300TD daily driver sold at 238K miles 106K miles were mine, rust worm got it :-(
2006 Mercedes CDI new daily driver! 56,000 miles May 2016 now 85,625 Apr 2018 and Apr 2019 101,000 miles Apr 2020 109,875. March 2024 135,250, Dec 2024 145,000 miles