On the coldest stay so far in JAX, FL, (27-F), our 1995 E320 wagon started and shifted fine into Reverse and Drive.

After an 8-minute drive, while getting gasoline it was hard to move the shift lever from Drive to Neutral.

A little cajouling, and it went into Neutral, Reverse, and then Park.

After filling the gas, it went smoothly back from Park to Drive.

After the 8-minute drive home, going back into Park, was hard again.

The shift bushings are new with no slop.

I'm thinking the plastic neutral safety switch might be sticking.

Any ideas ?

BTW: once in Drive, the tranny shifts smoothly through the gears.

Thanks,
:-) neil