w140 transmission safety lock...how to defeat w/o power
 

how do i get the tranny shift lever from PARK to neutral without power? this is the car that got submerged so connecting a battery isn't an option at the moment. where is the locking solenoid located? maybe i can just remove it... if that's the case... how do i get to it? how do i remove the console wood? thanks guys... i've never gutted a w140 before

I don't think that is a powered mechanism, but I could be wrong. Anyway... Insert your key and turn it on (to unlock the steering), press the brake pedal, and then shift.

Sorry to hear your car got submerged. :( Can you share the story of how it happened?

i will need electrical power to disengage the lever lock. i cannot apply electricity at the moment coz all the electrical connections are wet.

the car got submerged with the recent flash flooding in my country, the Philippines, our house got submerged also... neck deep at the 2nd floor. nobody got physically hurt... thankful for that.... but the entire house and 3 cars "drowned"... the w140 is our last priority, being an extra car, so i'm taking my time diy-ing the entire restoration. planning on making it "simpler" without any of the electronic gadgetry.... first things first... i have to tow it back to the house... i need to disengage that lock. :)

i'm pretty sure there's a solenoid there somewhere...

my mom's ford escape also had that "lock"... i removed the steering stalk plastic cover and disengaged the TV cable and placed the tranny in neutral... i can probably do the same thing with the w140... just don't want to break anything... so i need instructions on how to do it properly. removing the wood is a start. :)

thanks guys

Questions should include year and model!
 

There are two different styles of console pre 95 and post. I dont think there is a solenoid on the 140, there are two "bowden cables", one from the brake pedal, the other goes to the steering wheel.
The early is a two piece and getting to the shifter requires the removal of the ash tray door, and then removing the two LATERAL " torx" bolts that hold the panels together, remove the trim ring, and then slide forward and upward to release the catch on the arm rest side. The later version needs to have the screws in the radio cavity removed, two phillips in the ash tray cavity, and the catch on the armrest side, and then pivoting the entire pane upwards, and pulling it down from the dash

so the transmission lever lock is mechanical? will try when i get the chance then. thanks!

no updates... still haven't gotten around to fiddling with the car... will probably go this weekend. can anyone confirm that the lock is indeed mechanically linked to the brake pedal? wouldn't want to find out on site that there is indeed an electronic locking mechanism. thanks guys. just double checking.

given all the electronic thingies on the w140 an electronic lock would seem logical.

If it's like my W126 it's just a cable system.

-J

it is... someone just confrmed. Nice!!! :) step on brake pedal with ignition key turned...