I bought a can of contact cleaner and took apart the stick shift control module to clean. After I blasted all the components, connectors and plugs, the car runs and shifts smoothly. All gears are available in each direction, I can manually shift into 1st and second...I have the kickdown switch working, I would say the transmission saga is at an end. I found a cheap hood and a guy I can rely on to paint, I can move on the the brakes, wheels, bumper, roller shade, passenger seat.....can't wait!

(just got under the passenger seat, it was unplugged)

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99 E3204matic wagon
99 CLK 430