was driving home today and all of a sudden car wont shift , stuck in 2nd gear . multiple lights come on the dash and the speedo isn't working . tach works , ac ,stereo work fine.

turned it off and then tried to restart . all light come on in the dash and stay on , starter will not engage . tried multiple times , it worked once and then no more . Any ideas?

 

Have you checked the RCM (relay control module)? So often, the issue where it refuses to crank at all when you turn the key is a bad soldering joint or stuck relay on the RCM board.

 

99.9% chance it's the conductor plate in the transmission, it has the speed sensor and also causes limp mode.
About a $120 DIY including new fluid and filter, easy if you have access to a lift, otherwise plan on spending a lot of messy time on your back.

Transmission Conductor Plate+Connector+Filter+Gasket KIT for Mercedes Benz 722.6 | eBay
6-Liters Mercedes Automatic Transmission Fluid (MB Spec 236.10) | eBay

 

Possessed is better than re-possessed, unless it acts like Christine.
I would be looking at the RCM for bad solder joints and/or bad relay contacts. Look for the thread concerning the mystery no start by tighed1.

 

Yes, BOTH the RCM and transmission conductor plate ......

 

dj did the rcm about 6 months ago . I have a spare and will swap . there have been multiple posts of people having the same problem but no real good follow up on the fix ( I hate that)
. just checked for codes and there is a p0600.

 

Found it , it was the rcm . swapped in the spare and it runs great . tried it for 2 days and all good . put the old one back in and wont start .

so i'm going to send it back to dj and have him look at it . got off easy on this one .