2mbusa

1999 SL 500 Hard Top latches and unlatches OK; however, soft top will not come up. Where should I start checking and in what order. Also, where is the resevor for the fluid, how full should it be and what type do I use?

Thanks

degeja

Does it start up and freeze?

Or just not do anything?

2mbusa

Thanks for your respoonse. When I push the red button forward it just flashes and nothing happens (the boot does not even come up)

degeja

I'm fairly new yet have done some troubleshooting on mine and learned some things reading the forum--mine now works fine;

1. check the fuses in the trunk- pull the 3 fuses of the top(9,3,4?_) and replace with new ones.
2. resynchronize side windows-- hold windows in up position for 10 sec--not the 2 sec in the manual
3.try again;
4. remove fuses, disconnect battery negative ground for 20 minutes--reattach battery cable, reinstall fuses
4. resynch side windows, manually put up side windows and roll bar

5. try again

BJonesFL

The reservoir for the hydraulic fluid is in the trunk, under the spare tire. There is a mark on the side of the canister that indicates full level. Since you apparently can't be sure what fluid, or heaven forbid, additives are in the system, if this were my car, I'd drain/flush the system and replace hydraulic fluid w/ MB branded or FEBI-Bilstein p/n 02615. If fluid level is low, then you've got a leak somewhere which won't be too hard to find once the hydraulic fluid is up to Full mark.

Other ideas about fuses and disconnecting neg side of battery, re-synching the system are all excellent trouble shooting steps.

Bob

2mbusa

Sounds like good advise; however, I have the hardtop on for the winter now so I will have to wait till spring.

Thanks for the help

2mbusa

Took the spare tire out today and the fluid is at the "max" mark and looks clean -- at least it would appear that I do not have a leak

BJonesFL

Since you said you weren't going to bother with this til the spring, next time you're in for a service on your car, have the tech connect the Star Diagnostic tool. If you're top system is throwing off DTC's (codes) you'll be able to pinpoint exactly what's wrong.

degeja

The first step when raising the soft top is the computer lowers the windows & roll bar, then opens the back hatch.

If the windows aren;t synced--the soft top button may blink immediately or the top may even go half way up and freeze(as mine did).
page 69 of owners manual

In quiet place with motor off, raise each window for about 10 sec-- should hear the click at about 8-9 seconds.

This can be done with the hardtop on. page 62 of operator manual

2mbusa

Thanks for all the support -- it is great to have this site as a reference!:[SIZE="7"]

Tru535i

Hi my 300sl will not release the hard top there is a clicking sound from the back but it will not unlock,once you remove hard to manually the soft top also does not come up,but the windows do go up & down with roof switch.any ideas anyone .

Top Hydraulics

Tru535i,

welcome to the forum. Where are you located, and which model year is your SL?

There are a number of possibilities. Start out with the fuses in the trunk - they may be corroded at the contacts.

If the window limit switches in the doors were bad, then at least the tonneau cover should raise.

Next step would be reading codes. See http://www.benzworld.org/forums/2419223-post1.html

Klaus

www.tophydraulicsinc.com

RWDvelocity

Recently, one latch on my tonneau cover (soft top boot) has been sticking. I checked fluids, leaks, fuses, and all were fine. If I help the tonneau cover by prying up gently with a finger, it pops open without issue.

If the other checks mentioned here don't work, giving that a try might help. The sticking would cause the light to blink for me as well. The effort needed on mine to help the top lift is practically nothing.

Top Hydraulics

RWDvelocity, which model year is your SL? If the tonneau cover sticks on one side, then it is usually the left side on a model year '97-'02. Actually, model years '97-'02 don't have a hydraulic tonneau cover lock on that side, and it is typically the simple replacement hook that is causing the problem.

Klaus

www.tophydraulicsinc.com

RWDvelocity

Hi Klaus,

Mine is a 2001. Yes, it sticking on the driver's side. The hook you mentioned, what is it that is sticking exactly?

I had forgotten that the hydraulic lock was discontinued. Was it a cost saving measure?

Top Hydraulics

RWDvelocity,

I don't know exactly how these hooks end up sticking, and I am not currently in a position to check it out on my '97. I hope you can investigate this a little more closely, and tell us how to fix the problem, ideally with photos...

Chances are that you can shift the hook a little where it is mounted to the tonneau cover, but it is important to find the root cause of this problem.

The soft top electronics got a major revamp in '95, which was supposed to be an improvement at the time. The most significant change at the time was the window indexing, which is the window dropping 1/2" when you open the door and the window lifting into the top window seal when you close the door. The cost saving measure at the time was integration of the roll bar controller into the soft top controller, which was a good move. Eliminating the left tonneau cover lock p/n A129 800 15 74 happened only with US model 1997. This was indeed a cost saving measure, but it was reasonable.

Klaus

www.tophydraulicsinc.com