mugwump00
Active Member
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2009
- Messages
- 37
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- West Berks
- Your Mercedes
- CL55K, S320, CLC180K
Hello all,
I've Googled all day on this, and found nothing that matches my issue exactly.
I've just been out to my car @ 22:00 and it's working fine, like there was never any problem, however all yesterday and today through the daytime (20 degrees round these parts) the roof has failed to lower on the dozens of times I've tried (inc. with motor running to keep up the volts).
It whirs and clunks in all the right ways, the windows operate and the front-edge detaches but the rear window doesn't lift; the pump-sound continues for 5 seconds and then just stops.
It's happened before, where it's taken a few tries to get it down, and then it has behaved perfectly at the end of the evening's journey, but never as stubborn as this weekend. I've put it down before to sticking rubber and lack of use, but I suspect it's something more technical now.
I imagine it's either aged hydraulic fluid (it's a 2003 car), a weak lift ram/motor or a sticking catch for the rear of the roof section.
Would anyone know if the fluid change is a home-job for the novice? The level is dead-centre between MIN/MAX. I've not found any instructions and I see that the reservoir requires a injector to get the stuff in it. Is there an online guide?
Or has anyone seen this behaviour before and can point me to a more likely explanation. I'd like to take the car to my local independent specialist with at least half a clue as to what needs breaking down and sorting, I fear the roof is a very delicate and potentially expensive matter. He's a really good chap, who knows his MBs well, but he therefore can charge some hefty labour rates.
Any thoughts much appreciated.
I've Googled all day on this, and found nothing that matches my issue exactly.
I've just been out to my car @ 22:00 and it's working fine, like there was never any problem, however all yesterday and today through the daytime (20 degrees round these parts) the roof has failed to lower on the dozens of times I've tried (inc. with motor running to keep up the volts).
It whirs and clunks in all the right ways, the windows operate and the front-edge detaches but the rear window doesn't lift; the pump-sound continues for 5 seconds and then just stops.
It's happened before, where it's taken a few tries to get it down, and then it has behaved perfectly at the end of the evening's journey, but never as stubborn as this weekend. I've put it down before to sticking rubber and lack of use, but I suspect it's something more technical now.
I imagine it's either aged hydraulic fluid (it's a 2003 car), a weak lift ram/motor or a sticking catch for the rear of the roof section.
Would anyone know if the fluid change is a home-job for the novice? The level is dead-centre between MIN/MAX. I've not found any instructions and I see that the reservoir requires a injector to get the stuff in it. Is there an online guide?
Or has anyone seen this behaviour before and can point me to a more likely explanation. I'd like to take the car to my local independent specialist with at least half a clue as to what needs breaking down and sorting, I fear the roof is a very delicate and potentially expensive matter. He's a really good chap, who knows his MBs well, but he therefore can charge some hefty labour rates.
Any thoughts much appreciated.