CLK-Class (W208) 1998-2002: CLK 200, CLK 230K, CLK 320, CLK 430 [Coupes & Cabriolets]

When good tops go bad

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 05-01-2016, 04:04 PM
  #26  
Member
Thread Starter
 
JG403's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 174
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
2003 CLK 320 cabriolet
OK. I checked fuses, all good. I manually closed the roof and locked it in place. I tried to open the roof, Windows went down, roll bar went down, I can hear the pump run, but nothing else happens. The roof button stays lit, doesn't flash fast or slow.
Old 05-01-2016, 04:44 PM
  #27  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Serndipity's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Boston North Shore
Posts: 1,249
Received 190 Likes on 170 Posts
2001 CLK320 Cabrio
Originally Posted by JG403
Picture
Yes, that's fuse block F4, the fuse in position 11 powers the N52 controller and the fuse in position 13 powers the pump motor.

There is also fuse block F1 located in the engine compartment (see thumbnail). The fuse in position 15 also supplies power to the controller.

As a FYI, these 3 fuses are shown in the bottom left portion of the enclosed N52 wiring diagram.
Attached Thumbnails When good tops go bad-f1.jpg   When good tops go bad-roof-wiring-diagram.jpg  
Old 05-01-2016, 05:05 PM
  #28  
Member
Thread Starter
 
JG403's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 174
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
2003 CLK 320 cabriolet
Thanks! My new relay cones tomorrow, so we'll see if that works. It seems like everything ready to work, the locks just aren't opening...
Old 05-02-2016, 11:19 AM
  #29  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Serndipity's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Boston North Shore
Posts: 1,249
Received 190 Likes on 170 Posts
2001 CLK320 Cabrio
I do not think the new relay is going to solve the problem. Although the pump motor relay has been a common problem, due to contact wear and tear from arcing when switching high electrical currents, at this time your RB is moving and you can hear the pump operating. That said, given that it's typically less than a $10 part and you have necessary access to easily replace it, definitely do so, as a good preventive maintenance messure.

In your post #2, you indicated that......"If i turn the car on, with windows and roll bar up, disengage the roof - Windows go down, roll bar didn't. Roof button is solid red. If I lift the button, there is no sound, snd nothing happens except the button blinks slowly."

Thereafter you found the hydraulic fluid in your system extremely low and a leaking cylinder, now repaired.

Now in post #20, you indicate that......"I opened snd shut the roof a few times manually, then closed everything up. The pressure valve is closed.
If I start the car and try to raise the roof, the windows and roll bar work, but nothing else happens. The roof button light is lit, stays lit, but does not flash."

Now your RB moves and the blinking light has stopped (which may have been due to the rear bow and/or the case cover not properly locking).

Your current situation is that your rear bow does not unlock at stage 3 and the main switch stays lit.

When the indicator lamp in the power soft top switch (S84) is permanently illuminated with the vehicle stationary and S84 is not operated the causes may be:

The soft top controller (N52)
Soft top or soft top compartment cover is not locked properly
Wiring or fuse, terminal 30
Defective or wiring open-circuit at the power soft top switch (S84)
The RB "retracted" switch (S83/5) or RB "extended" switch (S83/6)

Before the controller will unlock the rear bow at stage 3, it first checks that the position of the RB limit switches are correct (indicating that the RB has been lowered).

It's possible that one or both failed to actuate correctly when you operated the system under low hydraulic system pressure.

You may be able to reset the RB limit switches as follows. With the RB switch (S83), on the dashboard, fully extend the RB and hold it for 5 seconds, followed by retracting the RB and hold for 5 seconds.

You can also try the subsequent locking procedure described in the thumbnail.
Attached Thumbnails When good tops go bad-subsequent_locking.jpg  
Old 05-02-2016, 11:58 AM
  #30  
Member
Thread Starter
 
JG403's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 174
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
2003 CLK 320 cabriolet
Thanks! I had a dead battery this spring, so I ran home and disconnected the battery. Just curious as to the possibility of a ghost in the machine. Tonight I will hook the battery back up, then go through all of the reset steps I did after the battery was jumped. I'll then do my best to follow what you have shared above. I really appreciate the help!


Agreed on the relay - it did seem prudent to go ahead and swap it out since I have access to it.
Old 05-02-2016, 01:05 PM
  #31  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Serndipity's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Boston North Shore
Posts: 1,249
Received 190 Likes on 170 Posts
2001 CLK320 Cabrio
Yes you'll have to reset the ESP/BAS (by turning the steering wheel fully left and then fully right), front power windows (fully up and hold 5 seconds, then fully down and hold 5 seconds and the radio code. On the W208, the window reset should be done with the roof up.

Hopefully, you'll be able to reset the RB as well and end your project.
Old 05-02-2016, 02:28 PM
  #32  
Member
Thread Starter
 
JG403's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 174
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
2003 CLK 320 cabriolet
Thanks. I'll put the top up manually before I hook the battery back up. Thanks for the tip
Old 05-06-2016, 03:59 PM
  #33  
Member
Thread Starter
 
JG403's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 174
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
2003 CLK 320 cabriolet
Gremlins? I changed the relay and closed the top manually. I got in prepared to try an open the roof with the button. Nothing at all works... The car won't even start.
Old 05-18-2016, 03:21 PM
  #34  
Member
Thread Starter
 
JG403's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 174
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
2003 CLK 320 cabriolet
Success! More later, but I replaced the faulty switch with a new one from an SL, all works well. Thanks to Klaus at Top Hydraulics and Serndipity...
Attached Thumbnails When good tops go bad-photo740.jpg  
Old 05-31-2016, 08:33 AM
  #35  
SPONSOR
 
Top Hydraulics's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: On the beautiful Oregon Coast
Posts: 475
Received 38 Likes on 29 Posts
03 SL Kleemann, 97 SL320 pano top, 95 Lorinser E320 Cabrio, Ferrari 360, Tesla X
Well done, congratulations!

Special thanks go to Serndipity for his prompt and in-depth responses.

Klaus

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 1 votes, 5.00 average.

Quick Reply: When good tops go bad



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:47 AM.