'02 CL500 (215), 53K miles - can't move the gear selector lever out of park. No fluids have been spilled in the shifter, ever, and a distinctive click can be heard from the area of the lever when the brake pedal is depressed - but the lever just won't budge. Engine starts readily with Smart Key and Keyless Go and brake lights are functional.

Any ideas as to what the problem is? What's the procedure for the emergency shift interlock disabling? Don't have the owner's manual handy.
Thanks.

If you can hear the locking solenoid activate when you step on the brake pedal, there's a mechanical fault inside the shifter. You can try striking the top of the shift knob with the palm of your hand while pulling back on the shift lever. This may allow you to get it out of PARK so that you can drive it to your repair shop.

Since the model 215 doesn't have a steering column lock, there is no emergency provision for getting the shifter out of PARK.

2001 E320 51k
Use A Ball Point Pen To Push Below D And Move Shift Lever Out Of
Park, Hold Brake Before Moving Lever And Ign Off, This Is Use For Towing This Is From The Book P-285

This is true for many MB's with electronic shifters (ESM's), but as previously posted, the 215 doesn't have any provision for getting the transmission out of PARK in the event of shifter failure. This is because the 215 (and 220) doesn't have a steering column lock. The shifter is the last line of defense for anti-theft protection.

Until about two years ago, if an S/CL needed to be towed, the shift linkage had to be removed so that the transmission could be manually shifted out of PARK, allowing the car to be hauled onto the flat-bed.

When the new ML-Class, W164 arrived, it presented a problem if a flat-bed was needed, since there isn't any shift linkage to dis-connect. The ML, GL, R, and new S-Class MB's all use the Intelli-Select Module (ISM), which uses a servo-motor to shift the transmission. MB came out with a free-wheeling hub, #164-589-03-63-00, which can be installed on either rear hub, in between the hub and wheel. This allows the vehicle to pulled onto a flat-bed without being dragged.