The 2000 Mercedes models all utilize a Shift Interlock, which will only allow the vehicle to be shifted out of Park while the brake is applied. The way this works is that a lock pin holds the shift lever in the Park position until a solenoid is powered by the brake light circuit, pulling the lock pin away from the shift linkage. The wire to the solenoid may come loose, or the brake light switch may fail. If someone tried to remove the vehicle from Park without applying the brake, the end of the lock pin may have become jammed. Try two things: 1) Start the vehicle, put your foot on the brake, and attempt to move the shift lever from Park to Reverse. 2) If you cannot remove the vehicle from Park, are the brake lights coming on? If not, a) replace the 15A fuse for the brake light circuit, and b) try Step 1 again. 3) If you cannot remove the vehicle from Park and the brake lights are coming on normally, locate the interlock solenoid at the shift lever and make sure it is properly connected. When you put your foot on the brake, the solenoid should retract. If it does not, check for 12V at the solenoid when you put your foot on the brake. If you have voltage, replace the solenoid. If you do not have voltage, you have a broken wire between the brake light switch and the solenoid. If the solenoid retracts but you still cannot remove the vehicle from Park, your shift linkage may have become bent at the transmission linkage. Hope that's helpful! :)
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