The top on my 2004 CLK320 has decided it no longer wants to open, and I'm trying to figure some things out. I found the excellent "soft top diagnostic guide" PDF that another form member prepared, available here: https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...ostic-aid.html

I think mine reaches stage 2, as it does unlatch the front, then I hear some sound in the back, but nothing moves. I suppose my question is how can I determine for sure that it passed stage 2, and the sound is it trying to run stage 3, so I can decide if it's possibly the unlock and catch switches?

I also checked the hydraulic fluid, and it is at the min line. Would that do it, or would it have to be lower to cause a problem?

Thanks!

 

I was poking around again just now and found this elastic with a ring loose in the trunk... Any idea what this is? Thanks!

 

I've answered my own question about that elastic... There are fabric covers on each side of the trunk, and the left side has fallen off. That explains the weird piece of fabric I also found in the trunk!

 

Fill the hydraulic tank up, try to run the top, look if you hear the pump motor working. If it does work, check in front of the rear tires for hydraulic fluid. That will tell if the cylinders are leaking or if a line is disconnected.

 

I filled up the fluid and tried to run it with the same result. I didn't notice any leaks in front of the tires, and the level in the tank hasn't gone down. I wonder if I get a code scanner that can read the top module if I can get more details?

Another common issue seems to be the yellow relays, but I think since mine does roll the windows down and unlatch the front, that the relay might not be the issue. Those posts seem to say it doesn't do anything at all with a bad relay.

Not sure what to try next!