Mercedes Benz repair: MERCEDES BENZ/TRANSMISSION, clutch pack, mercedes benz

Question
GREETINGS!!
I HOPE THAT THIS WILL FIND YOU AND YOURS IN THE VERY BEST OF THE BEST.
RECENTLY I PURCHASED A 1988 MERCEDES BENZ. (I KNOW THE YEAR DATE EXCEEDS THE SPECIFIED INFORMATION ABOVE...BUT I HOPE YOU MIGHT HAVE SUGGESTIONS.) THE CAR WON'T MOVE IN FORWARD OR REVERSE AT ALL. I CAN SHIFT THE SHIFTER WITHOUT HAVING THE KEY ON OR EVEN IN THE IGNITION...AND DO NOT HAVE TO APPLY THE BRAKE TO SHIFT. ALSO, I WANT TO CHECK THE SHIFT CCONTROL CABLE, BUT CAN'T FIND IT. (420SEL)
HOPE YOU ARE HAVING A GREAT DAY!! CHEERS!!!

Answer
Do you feel any resistance from the transmission linkage?
Is it possible the previous owner removed the shift link rod; between selector and transmission?

If the linkage is there, and proper fluid level in transmission, then your forward direct drive clutch pack is burnt out = rebuild the transmission...

Linkage = rod, not cable.