R230 rear window/ roof raising issue

[5w155t0ny]

Afternoon all, got a bit of an issue with my SL350 (R230)
Was wondering if anyone knows how to manually lower the rear windows on this model?
Backstory: Put roof down on car this morning, and the rear drivers side window lowered all the way as normal (for this car), and I raised it as I drove off.
Got to work and the roof starts the initial closing sequence, but the rear window doesn't move and so the flaps won't fold away and the closing operation just stops.
So, in order to get the roof back up until I get time to sort the issue, I need the window to be lowered so the roof completes the closure process.
Failing that, I need to close the roof manually, but do not have the STAR system to fold the flaps in, so if anyone knows the process to fold them in manually, I would be very grateful for any feedback.
TIA

 

[drmw]

Whatever the side, lower the front window, then having released the button, press "lower" again & the back will go down

To raise, reverse the process

 

[5w155t0ny]

Whatever the side, lower the front window, then having released the button, press "lower" again & the back will go down

To raise, reverse the process

The window does not move, there is merely a soft click from (I presume) a relay in the door and the rear panel.
It is not a position memory resetting issue, it is a physical problem that requires the window to be manually lowered to enable the roof to close.

 

[peterws1957]

There is a system for manually closing the roof. Try Looking through (official) Mercedes Club videos on You Tube. Iirc it does involve undoing the hydraulic pipework though.

 

[5w155t0ny]

There is a system for manually closing the roof. Try Looking through (official) Mercedes Club videos on You Tube. Iirc it does involve undoing the hydraulic pipework though.

At the risk of repeating myself, I just need to know if anyone knows how to manually lower the rear window? Or to manually fold in the boot flaps?

 

[SL63 Mark]

At the risk of repeating myself, I just need to know if anyone knows how to manually lower the rear window? Or to manually fold in the boot flaps?

To get to the rear window mechanism, you have to remove the rear trim. I did this when there was a current drain from the motor due to water ingress. There are guides on YouTube. It was not particularly hard. Sounds you may have the water ingress problem, it is very common. The cavity below the rear window holds several litres if/(when) the drain gets blocked. This eventually shorts out the window motor/relay.

 

[star]

There is no way of lowering the windows manually. Listen to see if you can hear a thing whilst operating just the window or it'll be closing the roof manually by releasing the pressure via the screw on the pump.

 

[5w155t0ny]

There is no way of lowering the windows manually. Listen to see if you can hear a thing whilst operating just the window or it'll be closing the roof manually by releasing the pressure via the screw on the pump.

There is what feels and sounds like a soft click from a relay when trying to lower the rear window. What blows my mind is the passenger side has never moved up or down in the time I’ve had the car and it has never stopped the roof from working. There is a rusty, broken cable graunching noise when the roof is operating that comes from that window, but it never stopped the roof dropping or raising.

 

[5w155t0ny]

There is no way of lowering the windows manually. Listen to see if you can hear a thing whilst operating just the window or it'll be closing the roof manually by releasing the pressure via the screw on the pump.

As an aside, could you advise of the procedure to manually fold in the boot flaps if I am going to manually shut the roof? Would help a lot.

 

[5w155t0ny]

UPDATE:
Bought the Xentry system and was able to fold in the flaps in the process of manually closing the roof.
Cost a few quid, but its almost paid for itself just solving this issue for me so I'm a happy bunny.

 

[5w155t0ny]

FURTHER UPDATE.
After running the car as a coupe since July 10, I noticed that the rear window started moving when the door was opened, and further investigation revealed IT LIVES!!
Took me about a week to pluck up the courage to see if the roof would work and lo and behold, it does!
Have taken the opportunity to lower the window and spray copious amounts of WD40 into the cavity to try and keep the mechanism freed off and working.
It occasionally stops halfway when being raised, but with gentle encouragement completes its journey, but I can live with that until I have time to delve deeper.
God it’s an occasionally frustrating relationship, but I bl@@dy love this car.

 

[Malcolm Johnson]

My history last year was that my drivers side quarter window would intermittently work. Mostly in hot weather as electrical resistance increases. As you open and close the drivers side door more than the passenger door, the main and the 1/4 window motor are used more therefore will wear more.
To cut a long story short, drivers side 1/4 window motor sent from Stuttgart, fitted and problem fixed.

 

[Uncle Benz]

Blocked drains and a build up of rainwater can also be a contributing factor. Definitely worth checking the drain is clear

 

[5w155t0ny]

Blocked drains and a build up of rainwater can also be a contributing factor. Definitely worth checking the drain is clear

That‘s on the checklist. God knows when I’ll get the time to do it though.