95 E320. Here's the history: I recently had my ignition switch, steering lock, key cylinder, key coded to VIN, etc all replaced by a Mercedes shop. Basically the works, all OEM from dealer parts (I know because I ordered them)

Everything seemed to be snug and brand new, working flawlessly. But here is what is happening, consistently:

Pull into parking spot
On phone or otherwise distracted
Turn car off, remove key, foot on brake
Remove foot from brake - realize CAR IS IN DRIVE when car starts to roll
Slam car in park

This was not an issue until the car rolled down my driveway a few weeks ago. Uhh.

3 Things:
The park interlock works otherwise (ie you cant start it if not in P or N)
Brake interlock works perfectly.
Key-in-ignition Buzzer works fine.

Aha -- so it seems like something is amiss. This past weekend I took off the underdash panel, replaced a headlight switch bulb, and looked around. The cable to the shift interlock was securely fastened.

The thing is, I do not want to take it back to this shop as they already screwed some wood trim up.

Does anyone know what is not connected or what's up? I think there is perhaps some T shaped piece that should have been put into the back of the new ignition switch. Is that it ?

Thanks.

The key interlock cable goes from ignition lock to the gear shifter, most likely mis-adjusted.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Thanks a million, follow up question -- is this key interlock cable SEPARATE from the park interlock that screws into the RH side of the key cylinder area (US model LHD car)? Or same thing?

I found that with it unscrewed from the ignition cylinder, if I pressed it in, I could shift the car out of park, with it not depressed, car was locked in park. Is there an adjustment here ? (or is it another interlock totally that I"m missing)

Thanks - sorry -- just dont understand the mechanical / fundamentals of what would prevent the key from being removed if the car is in drive/etc.

The cable adjustment is on the side of the gear shifter.

Back off bolt & slide cable back & forth to adjust.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Great, I'll give that a try. Really appreciate it.

Our car won't allow removal of the key in Drive, only in Park.