Red button in boot to lift roof up not working

Paul Sander

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Hi everyone,
I posted this issue before but now it's more urgent as the car is in the garage and they don't seem to know where to look and my money is rapidly disappearing...

So when I retract the roof into the boot and open the boot the red button is lit up (so assume there is a live feed there).

But when I press it.. Nothing... No noises, clicks... Nada

Does anyone have the wiring diagram or any idea how the mechanism works?

Your speedy replies would help reduce the rapid drain on my wallet.... :-(

Paul
 

00slk

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A slight possibility it is the red button switch itself??
 

Gary5

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SL350 R231 2013; Classic Fiat 500L 1972
Hi everyone,
I posted this issue before but now it's more urgent as the car is in the garage and they don't seem to know where to look and my money is rapidly disappearing...

So when I retract the roof into the boot and open the boot the red button is lit up (so assume there is a live feed there).

But when I press it.. Nothing... No noises, clicks... Nada

Does anyone have the wiring diagram or any idea how the mechanism works?

Your speedy replies would help reduce the rapid drain on my wallet.... :-(

Paul
Hi Paul, when I lift the boot lid up on my R231 SL350 with the roof folded in the boot, as soon as the boot lid is fully up, the folded roof lifts up to allow storage access, the boot lid is the trigger for this movement. The red button is what I press to close the roof back down into the boot, then I can close the boot lid safely. Sorry if I am teaching you to suck eggs, I am not sure if I have interpreted your issue correctly, just thinking aloud. Cheers
 

LostKiwi

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Hi Paul, when I lift the boot lid up on my R231 SL350 with the roof folded in the boot, as soon as the boot lid is fully up, the folded roof lifts up to allow storage access, the boot lid is the trigger for this movement. The red button is what I press to close the roof back down into the boot, then I can close the boot lid safely. Sorry if I am teaching you to suck eggs, I am not sure if I have interpreted your issue correctly, just thinking aloud. Cheers
On an r230 you need to push the red button to gain access and lift the folded roof away. Then press again to lower it.
The prerequisite for it to lower again is the separator must be closed. First place I'd look is the separator microswitch. Also check the microswitches for roof in access position are good. Then start checking for broken wires.
 
OP
Paul Sander

Paul Sander

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Hi Paul, when I lift the boot lid up on my R231 SL350 with the roof folded in the boot, as soon as the boot lid is fully up, the folded roof lifts up to allow storage access, the boot lid is the trigger for this movement. The red button is what I press to close the roof back down into the boot, then I can close the boot lid safely. Sorry if I am teaching you to suck eggs, I am not sure if I have interpreted your issue correctly, just thinking aloud. Cheers
On an r230 you need to push the red button to gain access and lift the folded roof away. Then press again to lower it.
The prerequisite for it to lower again is the separator must be closed. First place I'd look is the separator microswitch. Also check the microswitches for roof in access position are good. Then start checking for broken wires.

Thanks for the replies,
I have replaced the separator switch already.
The garage has checked continuity and thinks it's the ECU...but Star had not shown any. faults.. So am reticent to buy a new one if e can't prove conclusively that it is this unit.
Even though the red button lights up I'm going to replace it, as it is the cheaper option. And if it still doesn't work then at least we can then discount this switch from being the issue...

But I really need to find a wiring diagram..

Paul
 

rorywquin

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Hi Paul, when I lift the boot lid up on my R231 SL350 with the roof folded in the boot, as soon as the boot lid is fully up, the folded roof lifts up to allow storage access, the boot lid is the trigger for this movement. The red button is what I press to close the roof back down into the boot, then I can close the boot lid safely. Sorry if I am teaching you to suck eggs, I am not sure if I have interpreted your issue correctly, just thinking aloud. Cheers

On mine I have to push the bootlid to make sure it is fully open before the tilting mechanism will work.
 

LostKiwi

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Thanks for the replies,
I have replaced the separator switch already.
The garage has checked continuity and thinks it's the ECU...but Star had not shown any. faults.. So am reticent to buy a new one if e can't prove conclusively that it is this unit.
Even though the red button lights up I'm going to replace it, as it is the cheaper option. And if it still doesn't work then at least we can then discount this switch from being the issue...

But I really need to find a wiring diagram..

Paul
This is r230 but may help.
 

Attachments

  • 230 roof switches.pdf
    40.4 KB · Views: 40
  • Vario Roof Diagnostic Aid.pdf
    1.1 MB · Views: 36

rorywquin

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I don't think mine (boot opening) automatically tilts the roof. I'd test it but, it is day 2 going into day 3 with the car in the MB workshop to get the maps updated. :mad: The incompetence beggars belief.
 

David Arnott

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Attached is the wiring diagram.
The later r230s (after 2007) have the auto tilt up.
 

Attachments

  • R230 rear.pdf
    421.9 KB · Views: 33

bluesl

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I think you need to check the boot lid limit switch, S124. That tells the control unit that the boot lid is fully raised so that the packaged roof can be safely raised.
 
Last edited:

bluesl

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  • The switch is hidden behind the trim on the right boot hinge...

8DF2EAB0-006D-479E-A57F-5400C24D7A1D.jpeg
 

rorywquin

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I need to investigate - after 3 years of ownership, I've not noticed that on mine. Does make sense!

My boot opening is manual (no button inside the car and not keyless) so I have to press the red button in the boot to make the roof tilt.
 

MARIE BENTON

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On mine I have to push the bootlid to make sure it is fully open before the tilting mechanism will work.
Yes. Same here. I need to hold the boot lid up as far as it can go and push the button.
 
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Paul Sander

Paul Sander

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So found out what the issue is... The roof control module.
From MB...£697 plus tax
eBay: £90
The garage has stripped out the car so I asked them to leave it because I need to get to the module. (It's under the rear fuseboard)
Will take some photos if anyone would be interested...
 

bluesl

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Would certainly be interested, let’s hope the replacement module fixes the problem.

There's good business to be had for someone who has the skills to fix these modules.

I have an old Ferrari F355 which came into being just as electronics in cars was getting established and a replacement aircon ECU - if you can get one - is £4700.

Similarly, a Porsche 911’s instrument cluster failed - one of the “dials” is a $20 LCD - but the part from Porsche is £2700.

I visited MB Classic Restoration in Bad Canstatt a few years ago and the opinion there was that in the future, cars with perfect mechanicals will be scrapped because the electronics needed to run them/keep them street legal will be long gone.
 
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Paul Sander

Paul Sander

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Hi everyone, I’m back again....so never ending saga with the red roof lift button in the boot n/w. So...eventually the garage found the issue was the roof module under the fuse board (2308201626), soI have so far tried 3 of them and all have the same outcome....it resolves my initial issue (roof now lifts up when red button pushed ) but it then creates another error with the roll bar. If it is not raised it will have a dash warning but even when raised I have the roll bar warning permanently on.
So I’ve had to stay with my original module as I at least do not get any warnings.

Any advice...anyone had similar issue?
 

SL63 Mark

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Hi everyone, I’m back again....so never ending saga with the red roof lift button in the boot n/w. So...eventually the garage found the issue was the roof module under the fuse board (2308201626), soI have so far tried 3 of them and all have the same outcome....it resolves my initial issue (roof now lifts up when red button pushed ) but it then creates another error with the roll bar. If it is not raised it will have a dash warning but even when raised I have the roll bar warning permanently on.
So I’ve had to stay with my original module as I at least do not get any warnings.

Any advice...anyone had similar issue?
My advice would be to find a knowledgable Mercedes Independent you can trust, who will not want to keep throwing your money at the problem.

I do not know who you are using, but there are some excellent ones out there.
 

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