HELP!!!!! SL R129 Problem

[Speedmaster]

Sadly David it is an aftermarket 6 cd changer etc. Although it is exceptionally complicated to use, so am considering swapping it for something more simple

 

[television]

I did wake up in the end, tell me are both catches in the open position on the two rear locks, look down the hole and you can see it, both sides should be the same if one is closed then you will have to do a reset, it does not cost much to re code a radio, as daft as it sounds many after market radio's have a code written on the outside and not all radios are coded.

Malcolm

 

[Speedmaster]

Yup, the two catches are in different positions. Having looked carefully, they seem to be controlled but hydraulic cylinders and on the defective one, the arm is not coming out of the cylinder so the catch is not opening. It is hard to get to. I think this needs replaced. In which case it is not a big thing but looks like it might take a while (ie expensive labour) to get at it.

 

[television]

Yup, the two catches are in different positions. Having looked carefully, they seem to be controlled but hydraulic cylinders and on the defective one, the arm is not coming out of the cylinder so the catch is not opening. It is hard to get to. I think this needs replaced. In which case it is not a big thing but looks like it might take a while (ie expensive labour) to get at it.

If you disconnect battery it will come up and unlock on re connecting, I will take a look to see if there is any other way, but I do not think so. trust me it will come up on a re set.

Malcolm

 

[Speedmaster]

my worry is it says in the manual that if you disconnect the battery you have to reset things like traction control etc, if you look at that section in manual

 

[television]

my worry is it says in the manual that if you disconnect the battery you have to reset things like traction control etc, if you look at that section in manual

I have taken off my battery at least 10 times, if the car is not moved nothing will need setting,well that's been the case with mine.

Just come in after looking at the 4 locks I am thinkng that if the other one was pushed down and the fronts manually locked it would think that the roof is on.

One more thought has just come to me, in the boot you have the fuses for the top control unit, all of these could be removed and upset nothing, though do not take the OVR out.

I will put the question up on Benzworld tonight, they have 1000's over there.

still thinking

Malcolm

 

[Speedmaster]

Just going out to disconnect it and leave it for 10 mins or so.
So when I reconnect it, should just pop back into place?

 

[Speedmaster]

Just done it and left it disconnected for 14 mins. Reconnected it and roof now working, roof switch still flashing red and now have warning lights on the dashboard for ABS and BAS ESP that willl not go off

 

[television]

Your car is the same model as mine, start the car up and turn the steering slowly from lock to lock that should put out the lamps, if you cycle the roof one complete up and down that should stop the roof lamp from flashing

Malcolm

 

[Speedmaster]

Done that in, saw it in the book, and the lights gone out. Roof still not playing ball. Got an early meeting to will have to contuniue my mission tomorrow!! I will not be beaten.

Once again, really appreciate the help malcolm

 

[television]

OK I have worked out how to undo the lock, this is not a hydraulic problem.
If I cant write it out I will ring you, please send a PM with your phone number or Email me with it.

Malcolm

 

[Speedmaster]

Hi Malcolm, only just seen your message. That was kind of you. The problem is now fixed. When I was taking the CLk down for its service to the local MB dealer this morning, took the SL as well (looked very silly with roof down in the fog and light drizzle I might add!!) and asked if they knew what might be the prob. The offered to look at it, so I left them with it and they have just dropped it off back at the house (nice touch). They have soaked?? the roof to stretch it, so cannot put it down for a few days and have also done a "reset" on the roof system. According to the chap, the how mechanism was out of synch. And all for a grand total of £52.90!!!

It is the first time I have used the local MB dealer (been BMW until now) and with both cars they were very helpful, quick and i thought quite reasonable. The bill for the CLk was larger as needed a few things but less than i thought. You hear so many horror stories about main dealers but I could not fault them today.

It would have been more satisfying to fix it myself but it has taken up a lot of time already, so was happy to pay £52.90 to sort it.

I very much appreciate your efforts though Malcolm, learnt a lot about the car by playing about with it on your advice

 

[television]

So pleased its OK, the fault was in the lock only, I have since found out the if a slight presure was put onto the closed lock,so that it thought the roof was there, pushing the button would have released it, but even then the fault was stored, and that needed clearing.

The main lesson here is that when the hardtop has been released the roof must be lifted off evenly at the back. It was the roof locking peg that partly closed the lock.

Happy motoring. Malcolm

 

[Speedmaster]

Yes, i knew the roof was going to be heavy but wow!!! Just waiting on the stand I have ordered for it.

The techs at the dealer reckon the previous owner has left the car with the roof down all the time in his garage. I used it as a second car. That is partly when it all a bit sluggish

 

[television]

Just a foot note, I have re set these thing, but it does not always work. for the record if a 129 owner gets one of the back lock stuck, and all else fails, remove the trim in the boot near the lock, remove plastic cover panel, by using the key provided or a 10mm spanner, you will see a lever going out sideways, silver or gold in colour with a 10mm nut welded to it on the face, apply a gentle downward presure on the lock catch (to represent the roof weight) and by lifting the lever with the spanner it will pop open.

I use an electric hoist, and the roof hangs from the garage roof, but even with that if you do not get the car in line and a straight lift you can get problems.

malcolm

 

[markmerc]

Sounds like a hood controller problem. The ignition should be on but engine not running. Could be a cause of a microswitch not making,or worse luck the controller packing up.£750 from mercedes, you would be very lucky to get a second hand one! However all is not lost, the hood can be raised and lowered manually, allbeit it takes about ten minutes.Some cars were modified,so the engine can run and the hood operated.Check it out in the owners manual you got with the car.Apart from that, take the car to an independent workshop,get them to check it out on the diagnostics computer.

 

[television]

Sounds like a hood controller problem. The ignition should be on but engine not running. Could be a cause of a microswitch not making,or worse luck the controller packing up.£750 from mercedes, you would be very lucky to get a second hand one! However all is not lost, the hood can be raised and lowered manually, allbeit it takes about ten minutes.Some cars were modified,so the engine can run and the hood operated.Check it out in the owners manual you got with the car.Apart from that, take the car to an independent workshop,get them to check it out on the diagnostics computer.

This one was just a mishap in lifting off the hard top roof causing a mechanical lock to close, nothing to do with controler.

Malcolm