R230 SL500 roof not opening

[Calle1]

Hello,

For the first time in 5 years I have a problem with the vario roof, so I guess I've been lucky..

When lifting the lever to lower the roof a message immediately appears on the dash "Visit workshop"
No sound from the pump or anything, just the Visit workshop message.

I had access to STAR diagnosis which gave me fault code B1194 - S118/1 (Left tubular frame, locked limit switch), S118/2 (Right tubular frame, locked limit switch), S119 (Tubular frame open limit switch): Switching status not plausible.

After a bit of research I found what I think is the S119 switch behind the pump:



After disconnecting it from the car the pump now starts operating again when pulling the roof lever!
However it does get stuck after opening the boot backwards, it doesn't proceed with the next step of actually lowering the roof.

Obviously the part has something to do with it but I'm not sure if the root problem is there or somewhere else.
Does anyone know how this switch works?? I can't see it connecting anywhere, It's just attached to the pipes with the plastic clips.

I found this spare part on the internet: A2308001372

​

But I don't feel like spending 500€ just to try it without being sure..
Is it possible to repair the switch or can it be obtained separately? (just the switch)

 

[mioba]

Without answering being able to answer your questions, can you clean the switch with contact cleaner as a first.

 

[sausage]

Impressive skills. I cannot contribute much but agree with the idea of cleaning and re-testing.

500 euros for that is astonishing. It looks like plastic, only two wires and a connector block. If you are able to figure out what that switch is doing and how it works, you might be able to see if there is a way to jury rig it, test, identify behaviour and come up with a fix.

If you search for "B1194 - S118/1 (Left tubular frame, locked limit switch), S118/2 (Right tubular frame, locked limit switch), S119 (Tubular frame open limit switch): Switching status not plausible." There are some results that might help but I imagine you have already done that.
Good luck.

 

[peterws1957]

I really can't see what could be wrong with it, unless there is a broken or very worn contact. I'd be tempted to have a good luck at contact points and wiring before pouring cash into it.

 

[Calle1]

I already tried cleaning it but no luck
Like I wrote yestereday I can't really understand how it works as it's just a piece of plastic connected to the tubes with some clips.
There are no electrical connectors except for the power cable from the chassis going into the switch.

One post at some SLK forum suggested that the switch "can easily be repaired with a zip tie to hold it in place"
That makes me think that there is some importance with the position of the switch.

So I guess I'll be trying that this afternoon

 

[LostKiwi]

I can't see it connecting anywhere, It's just attached to the pipes with the plastic clips.

I'm not sure what you mean by this?

 

[Calle1]

Update:
After taking a better look it found out that the plastic piece is broken.
So, problem confirmed but not solved:


There is a switch inside which clicks when tapping on it.

This is where it's supposed to be:


After putting the torx drive into the hole, activating the switch the boot is opening backward when operating the lever but get's stuck there just as yesterday.
If the torx is then removed (deactivating the switch) the roof goes down completely!

So obviously there is another piece missing which is supposed to press the switch when the roof is down, and when the boot is up backward's that something is lifted, deactivating the switch allowing the roof to continue the lowering process.

If there is still something missing it should be on the bottom of the boot but I haven't found anything yet.
Any information about how this plastic piece looked originally would be appreciated!

I will try to repair the plastic with some glue but as I said there is still something missing.

 

[mioba]

pump the pn into google and search images. you may find an image that shows what you are after.

 

[Calle1]

I finally found the missing piece I was looking for and i managed to put everything together, and - the hardtop works again!


Now I just need to get some epoxy or something to glue the broken plastic.