wont go in gear

[dav007]

hi i have a problem with my m8 car it a e class cd 220 2001 to 2002 on the changer over
yesterday he could not put it in to gear at all the car starts up but just wont go in gear the car was not used for one day and he went to get same deisel
after puting deisel statred the car and would not go in gear i told him if he had a screw driver and put it in were the over drive is and it got it to go in gear so i told him to just drive home as his driving home the car only going slow as if not changing gear

any ideas what this could be

 

[StevenN]

It could be low on fliud or the gear lever might be broken.
It's just a big switch really.
Mine went early this year.

 

[renault12ts]

Brake light switch??

 

[dav007]

hi how much did the big switch cost and were did you get it from and are they the same do have a part number

and i will tell my m8 to get the brake switch changed first

thanks for info people

 

[StevenN]

Hadn't thought about the brake switch.
Hope it is as they are about a tenner.
If it turns out to be the Gear lever mine cost £375+vat and fitting was £175+vat.
That was new and I would guess a second hand one would be about £50.
You have to lower the gearbox a little to change it.
the tell tale sign was no reading in the gear display on the dash.
the car went into limp mode and could only move the lever with the engine off