Mercedes: transmision wont change gears, independent mechanic, mercedes benz e420

Question
Hello,

I am an American living in the Domincan Republic and I have had a nightmare with my 1997 Mercedes Benz e420. The transmission stopped changing gears, so I had the transmission rebuilt. The problem came back 2 months later, and the mechanic sent me to a electrical specialist. He changed all the gages in my Mercedes because they didn´t work all the time and he said that was the problem. After I got the car back, one day later the transmission is stuck in first gear and you can´t even change it manually. Please help before I have another mechanic rip me off. How do I solve this problem... Thank you


Answer
Gary
I suspect that during the transmission reinstall, there may be some binding of the shift mechanism. Or there is a failure of some of the safety lockout solenoids related to the start circuit.
This vehicle may have a press the brake to release the transmission lever form park.
There may be a fuse that controls this circuit and I would check there first. The Mercedes bullet fuses are notorious for corrosion, especially if their heat strip is aluminum.
Take the all out and polish the tips. I would also polish the holding clips.
If the fuses all check OK.
Then you need to determine if there is a bad switch in that transmission safety circuit.
These type of things can go on and on. You may want to take the vehicle to an independent mechanic who can place a code reader in the circuit and see if there are any failure codes.
Good Luck
Rob