OK, I noticed that a trouble light was on. It was the steering wheel lock warning; it was not locked. I locked it and the trouble light went off.

Wonder if this could be what was causing it not to shift? Will try it tomorrow; did not want to get into anything in the dark tonight.

The ML is amazing; did not realize that it had four wheel drive like my Land Rover.

Confused - are you saying that a reverse solenoid may be the problem? What does this have to do with the parking brake?

I am still hoping to find that it was only occasioned by the steering column not being locked; we will see.