Hard/soft Top Totally Dead

[dave hobbs]

Hard top/ soft top not working. 500sl 1993
After putting the hard top on over winter with no problem and the soft top working ok in the summer. This weekend decided to take off hard top off with nothing working electricaly. The button does not flash in normal position which is fine and will flash on and off once a second when positiond to raise roof but thats it no noise from motors no release. I have checked fuses in boot and the one under the bonnet also hydrolic level is fine. Windows work as normal with window buttons and the anti roll bar works with its button but nothing with the release button for hard/soft top.
Have I missed anythng to look for if so please can you tell me the location of this item. Please note that I have read on the forum with a similar problem that this guy had to have the ecu reset. I did change the battery during the winter so maybe some codes were lost. I have dissconected the battery for a short time just in case this would help but no joy.

 

[webby]

Hi Dave,

I'm no expert on the hard top of the sl but I've had a few problems with mine in the past.

As the red light is not blinking and there is no warning buzzer when you drive the car the computer must think everything is OK.

It's possible that you have a sticky switch or valve.
Why not try to cycle the soft top manually to see if it makes any difference. Just bear in mind that you can only do this a maximum of 5 times before you have a hydraulic lock in the system.

The instructions are in the owners manual and also in the tool roll with the special spanner to move the soft top catches.

If you need any more info please shout.

Webby

 

[dave hobbs]

Thanks Webby

I will now try what you said I did not do anything before as if the ecu needed setting everthing I would attempt would be pointless. I did take the hard top of the weekend with the tools no problem. Not having instructions on how to lift the soft top I will try and work it out. If you are online and read my reply and you Know how this is done let us Know also any other readers knowing please drop us a line. PS I HAVE PUT SOFT TOP UP BY HAND STILL NOTHING WORKING NO BUZZER SOUND TOTALY DEAD.

Thanks again Webby

Regards

Dave

 

[webby]

Ok Dave,

I'll try and explain this....

1) In your tool kit you have the special spanner/allen key for the soft top. (theres normally instructions with the spanner)

2) Using the spanner end of the tool slide it betwen the roll bar (I assume it's down) and the rear trim around the back......I think the catch is near the back of the car....it took me over an hour to find it!

3) Once you have located the catch unlock it by moving the spanner rearwards.......repeat this on the oppisite side.

4) Now you can lift the soft box cover.

5) Lift the soft top out....this is quite heavy.

6) Latch the soft top to the header rail.

7) Once you've found the catches it's quite easy.

Hope this helps

Webby

PS: I hope you don't need a new soft top computer, I had to replace mine last year at a cost of approx. £600 plus labour......still not convinced I needed it but thats life!

Good Luck!

 

[cohan]

For what its worth, my 129 sl has been in the dealer (MB Stratford) for abour 3 months now with similar issues with t hard top, and they have STILL not managed to find the problem, and i have not had my car all summer, good luck with your fix.

cohan

Ok Dave,

I'll try and explain this....

1) In your tool kit you have the special spanner/allen key for the soft top. (theres normally instructions with the spanner)

2) Using the spanner end of the tool slide it betwen the roll bar (I assume it's down) and the rear trim around the back......I think the catch is near the back of the car....it took me over an hour to find it!

3) Once you have located the catch unlock it by moving the spanner rearwards.......repeat this on the oppisite side.

4) Now you can lift the soft box cover.

5) Lift the soft top out....this is quite heavy.

6) Latch the soft top to the header rail.

7) Once you've found the catches it's quite easy.

Hope this helps

Webby

PS: I hope you don't need a new soft top computer, I had to replace mine last year at a cost of approx. £600 plus labour......still not convinced I needed it but thats life!

Good Luck!

 

[PeterG]

Hi Dave
Had the same problem in my 92 sl last year.
Went on to the american MB forum and found it was a common occurrence.
I was advised and it worked, to disconnect the battery for about 10 mins,
reconnect then try the sequence of turning the ignition to start and operating the hood switch.
Apparently if it is not used for a while the computer gets confused and shuts the operation down, remember we are talking 1980s technology here I even have ceramic bullet fuses in mine.
If it does not work keep turning the ignition to off for about 20 secs then on and try again.
I would be loathe to give it in to a dealer for them to mess about with it in the same way and charge you a small fortune.
Good luck
Pete
ps if you get it going operate the hood up and down a few times to get the hydraulics and motors going again

 

[tt_119]

Hard top/ soft top not working. 500sl 1993
After putting the hard top on over winter with no problem and the soft top working ok in the summer. This weekend decided to take off hard top off with nothing working electricaly. The button does not flash in normal position which is fine and will flash on and off once a second when positiond to raise roof but thats it no noise from motors no release. I have checked fuses in boot and the one under the bonnet also hydrolic level is fine. Windows work as normal with window buttons and the anti roll bar works with its button but nothing with the release button for hard/soft top.
Have I missed anythng to look for if so please can you tell me the location of this item. Please note that I have read on the forum with a similar problem that this guy had to have the ecu reset. I did change the battery during the winter so maybe some codes were lost. I have dissconected the battery for a short time just in case this would help but no joy.

Dave,
I am not sure if you have got a resolution to your soft top problem, but I did experience something similar a few weeks back.

I left my soft top down, and the 1990 500 SL in the garage for a few days - not used. I then tried to put the top on without starting the engine. The Switch flashed once a second when I activated it.

Searched for information and found out that one possible reason is that the battery voltage is too low. So I finally took the car out for a half hour drive, returned, with the engine still running, tried putting the top on again - and it worked this time round.

Hope this information helps.