R230 roof stuck closed due to rear window not working

[noonboots]

Window will definitely hold the roof off. The window position might come via the door control module, but the roof control relies on a message verifying window position before it will open. I fixed one a couple of months ago where the nearside rear window regulator was completely submerged. I cleared the drain and replaced the regulator and it was fixed. I accept that its not definitely the same problem, but based on the description it sounds similar.

Is it possible to check these drain holes are clear without stripping the interior, eg at the oulet wherever it may be.? I'm thinking it may be possible to prevent future problems caused by blockage.

 

[H24k]

Is it possible to check these drain holes are clear without stripping the interior, eg at the oulet wherever it may be.? I'm thinking it may be possible to prevent future problems caused by blockage.

Thats a good question and I was wondering the same thing, I couldnt get my window and complete mechanism out, one of the most tricky things ive ever tried to do on a car, so I couldnt even access the inside of the back panel to clear the drain holes etc and Im sure there must be a way to access if you remove the rear wheel and the plastic wheel arch trim! ( I hope sop anyway!!) ???

 

[H24k]

Window will definitely hold the roof off. The window position might come via the door control module, but the roof control relies on a message verifying window position before it will open. I fixed one a couple of months ago where the nearside rear window regulator was completely submerged. I cleared the drain and replaced the regulator and it was fixed. I accept that its not definitely the same problem, but based on the description it sounds similar.

Thanks for you advice mate, I would never have got this done without your help!!!

I couldnt take the whole window mechanism out, it just wouldnt move but I managed to get one hand in the panel and took the motor cover off like you said and then pulled out the motor with the shaft and noticed some rusty residue on the end, so i cleaned it and the copper contacts etc and then sprayed some wd40 into the mechanism with the gears in and then managed to put it all back together and its all working fine,

I didnt even need a new motor in the end or anything else, very strange! But its all working fine, my hands are proper mangled though especially on the knuckle side all swollen up from the constant scraping in and out etc but soo glad its all finally done, what a mission!!

 

[H24k]

Thanks for all the advice guys, Finally got it sorted, Much appreciate all the advice from everyone.

 

[peterws1957]

Thanks for you advice mate, I would never have got this done without your help!!!

I couldnt take the whole window mechanism out, it just wouldnt move but I managed to get one hand in the panel and took the motor cover off like you said and then pulled out the motor with the shaft and noticed some rusty residue on the end, so i cleaned it and the copper contacts etc and then sprayed some wd40 into the mechanism with the gears in and then managed to put it all back together and its all working fine,

I didnt even need a new motor in the end or anything else, very strange! But its all working fine, my hands are proper mangled though especially on the knuckle side all swollen up from the constant scraping in and out etc but soo glad its all finally done, what a

Good news!. Very satisfying sorting an awkward problem yourself with the right advice.

 

[H24k]

Oh Nooooo, Back again!!!

lol Seems I counted my chickens before they hatched!

After leaving the car for a few days I went to do the windows down to open the roof and the same window is stuck again!

After all that work, my Goodness, looks like I have to do it all over again, I noticed some rusty grease on the worm gear thats attached to the motor when I removed it so im assuming the problem is not my motor but the actual gearbox that controls the movement, probably water got in and rusted everything up, I didn spray loads of WD40 in there when I took the motor out and it was working for a while!

I was wondering if anyone knows how to exactly take the whole regulator mechanism out because this was my original plan to change the whole unit however i just could not work out how to unbolt the whole unit rather than just changing the motor,

I looked everywhere to see if theres any access holes inside the car on the panels etc and couldnt see any possible way!

Any info would be appreciated.

 

[Uncle Benz]

The assembly is held in place by two or three nuts (can't remember how many) accessed via the interior rear trim piece. They have some grommets hiding them once the rear trim is removed.

 

[H24k]

The assembly is held in place by two or three nuts (can't remember how many) accessed via the interior rear trim piece. They have some grommets hiding them once the rear trim is removed.

Thanks for the reply and the info,

I have stripped all the panels down and removed the rear trim panel etc and cannot see anywhere to access the bolts, the bolts that run along the top I can access but not the side one and it just doesnt budge so must be something holding it in place, I will add a pic of mine to see if we are talking about the same bolts

 

[H24k]

Is it the 2 screws, nuts circled?

 

[Uncle Benz]

Yes, from memory that looks about right. Is that a driver side window (rhd)?

 

[H24k]

Yes, from memory that looks about right. Is that a driver side window (rhd)?

I took the picture off ebay not sure, mine is the passenger side, RHD car! I cant find anyway to access those bolts, Ive looked everywhere with side panel off and theres no holes that line up etc, so I just cant understand how to do it

Ive even asked the breakers that I bought my window regulator unit off for advice and they didnt reply!! lol All they care about is getting paid!!

 

[Uncle Benz]

It's like a double skinned bulkhead back there. There are some grommets you remove that you can then pass a socket through to reach the nuts that are some way further in.

 

[LostKiwi]

On the end of this video clip you can see the two holes:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vpri5ban58lf4rg/rear window adjust.wmv?dl=0

 

[H24k]

On the end of this video clip you can see the two holes:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vpri5ban58lf4rg/rear window adjust.wmv?dl=0

Thanks Guys,

I will have another go now ive got this info you guys have provided, Hopefully should be able to unbolt it and swap the whole unit over!

Hopefully it stops raining in the next few days and i can get it done!!

 

[dscam]

Hi Guys

Looking for some possible advice on if its possible to manually open the roof on an R230 SL500 as my rear passenger side (R.H.D car) quarter window is stuck, I can hear the motor clicking when I press the button but the motor seems to be gone, or it could be the actual mechanism thats stuck!

Ive bought a complete unit off ebay with the motor and window for £40 rarther than paying £25 for a motor on its own, seemed to make more sense and was thinking it would be easier to change the whole unit complete but the problem I have is due to the roof being closed and will not open because the window has to drop an inch or so to allow the procedure to drop the roof, I cant replace the motor!!

Ive looked everywhere online to see if anyone has even changed a motor or complete mechanism for the rear quarter windows etc but cant find anything anywhere!

Was wondering if anyone knows a way to bypass the switch or whatever it is that will allow the roof to open without the rear window dropping or a way to manually open the roof?

Thanks

Bit of a thread resurrection but after searching this seemed to be closest to the issue I’m currently having.

My 07 SL350 has had no problem with its roof operation but over the weekend it suddenly threw me an issue.

When I tried to lower the roof it would only reach the stage of the boot opening and the front windows beginning to lower - these then stopped around half way and although all the motors/pump appeared to be operating nothing else happened.

After replicating this problem two or three times I realised that the culprit appeared to be the drivers-side rear quarter glass which was not moving when the roof sequence initiated. Similarly I also realised that it was not moving slightly when opening or closing the driver’s door. The passenger side is working normally.

So, I’m guessing that a sensor for the roof operation is saying ‘no’ since that quarter glass is not moving as it should.

Handily I have the car booked in for a B service at the local specialist in a few weeks but I’d be keen to get the collective wisdom here so I am fore armed!

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Uncle Benz]

Sounds like you have it exactly right. The window must drop for the roof to work. The window regulator sits in a plastic “bucket” with a drain in the bottom. If the drain blocks water builds up and submerges the motor, with predictable results. Can be a lot of water in there too. About half a gallon probably.

 

[dscam]

Thanks Uncle Benz.

In a moment of optimism I checked the two rear window fuses. Both looked fine but I replaced them anyway. Sadly no joy with the offside and the near side continued to work as before.

Any thoughts on this being a relay or module?

Replacing the whole mechanism looks like it could be a bugger of a job - is it even possible to get access when the roof won’t lower?!

 

[Uncle Benz]

It is, but it’s hard. To get the unit out with the roof closed the window must be down. The only way to achieve this with no electric operation is to remove four screws holding the motor cover, lift it off and manually turn the armature or cut the bowden cable

 

[dscam]

Thanks again Uncle Benz - not music to my ears but do very much appreciate your useful advice and knowledge.

Such a drag this particular issue as it has occurred with zero warning. One day working fine and then not. In one fell swoop it has rendered my convertible to be, er, non-convertible!

What hope it’s something more simple?

 

[Finn85]

Thanks Guys,

I will have another go now ive got this info you guys have provided, Hopefully should be able to unbolt it and swap the whole unit over!

Hopefully it stops raining in the next few days and i can get it done!!

Hi,

I battling with the same stuck window problem. How in the gods name did you manage to get the motor out i had the cover out with huge battle but to even see the motor is very difficult. Did you get yours working?

-Lasse