🚨 1993 Mercedes-Benz S350 Turbodiesel W140: Emergency Neutral
The W140 S-Class uses a column-mounted gear selector stalk with mechanical linkage and an electrically-controlled shift lock solenoid.
✓ Expert-verified by Chris Hackleman — master technicians, 20+ years each.
⚠️ Chock the wheels first — neutral means the car can roll. Set the parking brake while you work, never stand downhill of the vehicle, and try a 12-volt jump before any override: power fixes most stuck-in-park problems instantly.
The procedure
- Ensure the vehicle is on level ground and apply the parking brake fully
- Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 2 (ACC or ON) if battery has any charge remaining
- Locate the shift lock override button: it is on the underside of the steering column, near where the selector stalk enters the column housing
- You may need to look up under the column or feel for a small button or lever mechanism near the base of the shifter stalk
- Press and hold this override button/lever while simultaneously pressing the brake pedal (if power available)
- While holding the override, pull the column shifter toward you and move it to the neutral position
- If no power is available, the override button may be stiffer; hold it firmly and move the stalk to neutral with moderate force
Shift-lock override location
Small button or lever mechanism on the underside of the steering column near where the shifter stalk enters the column housing
With zero electrical power
With no electrical power, the shift lock solenoid defaults to locked position. The mechanical override button under the column bypasses this. You will need to press the override firmly and may encounter more resistance than normal when moving the stalk. The mechanical linkage to the transmission will still function to engage neutral.