129 hard top stuck on.

[sarnie109]

Hi Everyone. I'm new to the forum but have been reading for some time. I bought a '94 SL 320 at the end of last summer and despite having a few little jobs to do, i'm very pleased with it. The thing is we're now half through the winter and thought i'd release the hard top and give the soft top an airing to make sure everything was hunky dory. No joy though as the hard top is stuck down and won't release. A mercedes specialist has had a look but was not sure of the prob, without me spending a LOT of money. When i push the button in the locking direction there is some movement in the top and it appears to clamp down tighter but settles straight back to it's standard locked position when button is released.
Everything worked fine when car was purchased and i've followed the user manual instructions to the letter. Has anyone had this problem or have any ideas????
Great site by the way.

 

[Richard Moakes]

Engine running? Mine will not release unless the engine is off and ignition is on etc...
Windows down? Does the express down function work?

 

[sarnie109]

Window function is fine, express down works. Engine running and off, ignition on and off... nothing. I'm at my wits end and am going bald with the head scatching.

 

[television]

The roof needs to know where the windows are, also where the roll bar is.

So do re set the windows and the roll bar.


If the roof still will not unlock do it manually with the key and it may come back to life

 

[Richard Moakes]

I would go for the manual override spanner that should be in the toolkit and follow the procedure in the handbook.

Sounds like you may have a microswitch out of alignment? The system is very complex and detects where things are and what is where etc... anything out of place and things don't move.

 

[sarnie109]

Cheers guys. Can you explain how to do a reset and if i release manually will i be able to replace electrically? microswitch was mentioned by my specialist. How likely is this?

 

[Richard Moakes]

Your car might be too new for these, but hopefully this will help?

Roll Bar Codes and Reset Procedure.

Locate the diagnostic connector: Under the plastic cover over the hood-up switch on
the passenger side of vehicle near the strut mount.

Connect LED + to pin 16 (+12V) Connect LED – to ground ( Pin 1 ). Use an LED with resistor.

To read error code: Use a push button switch to short pin 7 to ground (Pin 1) 2 to 4 Seconds.

To Erase: Close switch 6 to 8 seconds.

Code 1 = No faults in system.
Code 2 = Roll Bar Control Unit
Code 3 = Voltage Supply
Code 4 = Driver Seat Belt Lock Relay (K18/2) open or short circuit to terminal 30 and/or 31
Code 5 = Passenger Seat Belt Lock Relay (K18/3) open or short circuit to terminal 30 and/or 31
Code 6 = Roll Bar Deployment Solenoid (Y57/1) open or short circuit to terminal 30 and/or 31
Code 7 = Left and/or right rear axle switch open or short circuit to terminal 30 and/or 31
Code 8 = Roll Bar Warning Lamp
Code 9 = Roll Bar Warning Lamp and/or impulse counter held too long to erase malfunctions
Code 10 = SRS Control Unit



Mercedes Soft Top Controller Reset Procedure. R129 1990 thru 12/93.

Locate the diagnostic connector: Under the black plastic cover over the hood-up switch on
the US passenger side of vehicle near the strut mount.

To recover codes from the soft top controller:

Connect a normally open (N.O. S.P.) switch between pin 1 and pin 10. A simple push button switch with leads or a short jumper lead will also work OK.

Short (close switch) 2 to 4 seconds to read error codes.
The lamp in red (operate) top switch ( in the console ) will flash out a number of pulses.
Count the pulses and see the chart.

Short (close switch) 6 to 8 seconds to erase error code.

There may be multiple codes stored, so read / erase until all are cleared or the problem
Is located.

Some codes may require reading / resetting twice before they will erase.

The codes that will suspend operation of a soft top on the R129 are 21, 22, 26, and 30.

A code of "1" indicates no faults and no hard top in place, while a code of "20" indicates no faults and the hard top is assumed to be on the car.

2 = Limit switch, LEFT locked, soft top storage compartment cover.
3 = Limit switch, RIGHT locked, soft top storage compartment cover.
4 = Limit switch LEFT closed, soft top storage compartment.
5 = Limit switch RIGHT closed, soft top storage compartment cover.

6 = Limit switch LEFT locked, soft top fabric bow.
7 = Limit switch RIGHT locked, soft top fabric bow.
8 = Limit switch LEFT closed, soft top fabric bow.
9 = Limit switch RIGHT closed, soft top fabric bow.

10 = Limit switch LEFT front locked, soft top.
11 = Limit switch RIGHT front locked, soft top.

12 = Limit switch soft top storage compartment open.
13 = Limit switch soft top fabric bow raised.
14 = Limit switch soft top down in storage compartment.
15 = Limit switch soft top up ( secondary closing speed ).

16 = roll bar retracted switch.
17 = Left window failed to lower (limit switch open), bad fuse, or window relay on controller.
18 = Right window failed to lower (limit switch open), bad fuse, or window relay on controller

19 = Vehicle speed signal to controller missing or illogical.

20 = Hard top installed, no faults.

21 = Controller module / soft top switch circuit open.

22 = Roll bar switch activated.
23 = roll bar control unit not functioning.
24 = Roll bar crash deployed.

25 = contradicting switch inputs.

27 = insufficient voltage.
28 = Speedometer signal is missing.
29 = Wheel speed from ABS control module missing.
30 = Top operation disabled (due to #29).

 

[television]

To re set, turn the key to 2 (ign) lower the windows, then raise and hold the switch for 10 secs. Raise the roll bar and hold for a few secs, then lower and hold again.

The manual locking key is in the tool kit, it is a flat bar with a key welded to it.

 

[sarnie109]

what can i say but thanks. lots of info to be getting on with and it should keep me busy all weekend. i'll let you know how i get on. Cheers, Richard.

 

[sarnie109]

Sorry... and Malcolm.

 

[television]

what can i say but thanks. lots of info to be getting on with and it should keep me busy all weekend. i'll let you know how i get on. Cheers, Richard.

If the battery has been disconnected at any time the stored settings are lost and the re sync must be re done for the windows and roll bar

 

[jibcl500]

make sure the battery is 100% the SL roof dont like failing batteries.

jib