W209 CLK - Roof won't close

[RhodieBill]

The Boot Light works on a Timer so as to not flatten the Battery. You will have to close the Bootlid and open it again.... (Usually works).

 

[tommymac]

The Boot Light works on a Timer so as to not flatten the Battery. You will have to close the Bootlid and open it again.... (Usually works).

Thanks Bill, you posted just as I edited my last post!

You are indeed right. When I was trying to re-enable it earlier, I was just turning the ignition. Never thought about closing the boot!

 

[tommymac]

what a mess!

Got the roof up no problem, secured it no problem.

Having read elsewhere that getting the roof into place might jog a sticky microsensor into action, I decided to try lowering the roof. First I tightened the locking nuts and the valve screw. I figured that the hydraulics wouldn't work otherwise. Roof lowered without problem.

I decided to stop halfway, and close the roof again, rather than have to use brute force to raise the tonneau cover again. Nothing! Roof wouldn't move forward.

Only option was to go backward, and lower the roof, but it only got so far, tonneau cover would not go down.

So, I can't get into the boot to release the locking nuts and valve, and I can't get the roof back up.

Booked in with mechanic at 1000 tomorrow. That's where I should really have started the week.

 

[RhodieBill]

Sorry to hear that. I should have told you that once you have it up and secured do not lower it again before you get it checked.....

Keep us informed just in case someone else has the same issue. But I would definitely say a Sensor issue. Check the Fuse again though.

 

[tommymac]

No worries, we'll get there.

I can still just about reach in under the tonneau and touch the levers on the compartment hinge. What's your view, should I have them pushed toward the rear of the car (the video that you posted suggests it is easier to force the tonneau down), or should I have them left pointing forward? I guess having them forward only helps (if I understand correctly) with the initial lift of the tonneau cover, so maybe no advantage there.

Will keep you posted. Better use this evening to brush up on my language skills.

 

[Flyinspanner]

Fuse 8 is linked to the alarm siren, and it’s the failure of the unit which often blows that fuse.
the siren is behind the front wheel arch liner on passenger side, you could disconnect it and see if that stops it blowing.


Is the boot separator in the correct position? Give it a good wiggle into position as if it hasn’t made the microswitch, then the roof won’t operate.

hope you get it sorted without too much grief

 

[tommymac]

Thanks Flyinspanner. That makes sense. When the key stopped working the roof was down (obviously, as it wouldn't go back up!), so I reached in over the windows to unlock. The hazards flashed until I put the key in the ignition, but there was no noise.

Already tried the separator wiggle to no effect unfortunately.

Before taking to the mechanic today I tried the roof, and it finished going down I didn't try to get it up again.

Unfortunately the mechanic couldn't help, they don't see many of these, so has referred me to an electrical specialist. Will keep you all posted.

 

[RhodieBill]

On the Alarm Siren, they have a built-in Battery so as not dependent on the car's own Battery. Over time they just go flat. As I understand it it is not a replaceable item so the Siren has to be changed.
My S500 had the same problem. I only inadvertantly found out when I set the Alarm off but like you, Hazards but no Siren. I managed to get a working one off Ebay for like a tenner.
Yes, they are a bit of a bugger to get to but not too bad really. It had a Sheild that has to be removed first then just one Security Torx Bolt holding it on and an electrical Plug. Best to have a replacement when you remove the old one so you can do it all in one go. My S500 was behind the Inner Fender on the Passenger side. I gather it is nearly always on the oposite side to the Driver.

The Bolt Holding the Siren on is a Security Torx.

I still have my old one!

I even posted it on here in 2019.... https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/...-your-merc-today.98760/page-1191#post-1696171

 

[RhodieBill]

Also I believe that they have some sort of Condenser or Capacitor in them rather than a Battery that can leak and cause a Short Circuit, which maybe why your Fuse keeps Blowing. The other thing it can cause is intermittant false alarms and funny squeaks....

 

[tommymac]

Thanks Bill, that's really useful, and to Flyinspanner for the original suggestion re battery. Sounds complicated, especially when out of the country with limited tools. Given the age of the car, I possibly would think about not replacing the alarm; to be honest at home I mostly never lock it (and of course I can't here!). Maybe I'll have a look to see if I can disconnect the wire and see if that stops the shorting.

Regarding the roof... Took the car for a spin this morning (had to fill with fuel, which is going to go over €2 a litre on Monday), and tried the button; I found that the roof closed without hesitation. Am in a quandry now regarding whether I try and open it again or not. If I could guarantee an appointment with a specialist that can look at the roof, I would probably risk opening it again. The guy I've been referred to though just doesn't seem to want to get back to me. Shame to have a car like this in such beautiful weather with the roof up

 

[RhodieBill]

Thanks Bill, that's really useful, and to Flyinspanner for the original suggestion re battery. Sounds complicated, especially when out of the country with limited tools. Given the age of the car, I possibly would think about not replacing the alarm; to be honest at home I mostly never lock it (and of course I can't here!). Maybe I'll have a look to see if I can disconnect the wire and see if that stops the shorting.

Regarding the roof... Took the car for a spin this morning (had to fill with fuel, which is going to go over €2 a litre on Monday), and tried the button; I found that the roof closed without hesitation. Am in a quandry now regarding whether I try and open it again or not. If I could guarantee an appointment with a specialist that can look at the roof, I would probably risk opening it again. The guy I've been referred to though just doesn't seem to want to get back to me. Shame to have a car like this in such beautiful weather with the roof up

Concerning locking the car, you can push down the locking post on the passenger side and then lock the car with the on the driver's side. This locks the car without the Alarm Initialised. Then of course you can use the key again to unlock it, but seeing as the Alarm is already off you can just use the button on the Keyfob to unlock.
Just an idea, better than nothing at all.

 

[Flyinspanner]

iirc you can just disconnect the siren unit, maybe bag and cable tie the plugs to keep them ‘dry’?

hope you find a helpful mechanic - post up your general location and you may get a recommendation? We have a few members who live outside the UK

 

[tommymac]

Time for an update. Not that I'd overlooked it, but just that it has taken until today to find someone that even wanted to look at it.

Not sure how far I've moved on. They looked for 20 minutes, charged me for an hour, and said that the problem was due to a broken plastic hinge on the tonneau cover.

Looking at the vide that RhodieBill posted on March 1, regarding the manually lifting and lowering the roof, 5 minutes and 25 seconds in it says that the plastic parts aren't essential, and can be disposed of if not required.

Perhaps it was just a broken part on the hinge that was interfering with the system, I don't know.