Strange problem,
A few weeks ago I took wifes 2000 320 out to the store. Parked the car then decided to move to a different spot. Couldn't get car out of park. Finally read the manual and used the pen in the hole trick to get the car out of park. When leaving the store, noticed BAS / ETS lights were on, so figured that maybe the shift lock used the same switch as the BAS/ETS system. (by the way, those lights come one infrequently and normally when it's damp outside)

So....father-in-law borrowed car for a week, and used the pen trick with no problem. Wife got car back and it's working fine....

Any ideas what can cause this? I'm not going to worry to much, because she knows how to make the car work, but I'm just curious.

thanks - great forum, just found it - will be asking many questions in the upcoming weeks I'm sure!

Rob

MOST likely! some liquid has been spilled on the gear shifter!

IT is a computer & computers don't like liquids!

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

i have seen the brake lamp switch cause this same problem, before you go and spend $1000.00s on a module go buy a brake switch, it is probably less than $50 and probably the same to install, it can be done yourself if you have the ability, usually if liquid was spilled on the unit the car will go into what is called limp mode meaning it will drive, just not properly, so as long as the car drives normally once in drive i would say the module is definately not your issue., also the other lights that were on depend on the brake switch to operate properly.

OF course if the brake lamp switch was a problem then the brake lamps wouldn't work OR the traction system lamps (ESP/BAS/ABS) would be on indicating a fault!

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

in the original post he said the bas and ets lights were on,
the function of the brake lamp switch circuit is not strictly for the brake lights on this model, it has two connections, one that is strictly to operate the brake lamp circuit, and a second for the CAN system that tells the other systems that the brake is being pushed, ie ESP/BAS/ABS, it is the CAN side that fails quite often causing this type problem and many other codes to be stored pointing to a defective brake lamp switch S9/1, so the brake lights may work and the S9/1 may still be defective on the CAN side.

The traction system can be scanned for faults, as welll as the trans system. WHATEVER that is causing those problems should be evident by the codes that are read from those systems!

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

you are correct, but i am sure if this guy had the ability to scan the car, he wouldn't be posting, his question here. try to analyze the problem a little before you jump the gun and condem a very expensive control module.

I replaced the brake lamp switch and the car is still stuck in park!
So how do I go about troubleshooting the CAN side? I have the Mercedes-Benz WIS service manual, what should I be looking for? I can't afford to pay 1000's on a new shifter so please tell me it could possibly be somethign else!

with the new switch do the brake lights work? where did you get the switch? send me your vin number, i will see what i can find in wis also and direct you to helpful areas