Soft top problem, cover doesn’t open

Mar 23, 2022 | 03:32 AM

daveintrouble

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MB CLK200 W209

Soft top problem, cover doesn’t open

Hi Guys,

I own an early W209 an have recently encountered the following problem with the soft top. On opening the 4 windows open, the top unlocks from the front, but the cover doesn’t open. I hear the pump running for about 10s and then it stops.

anybody any clue where to start looking?

regards,

Dave

Mar 23, 2022 | 06:09 AM

umersohail

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sgtrg

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Mar 23, 2022 | 09:21 AM

zill

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2008 CLK 550 2012 C300

Dave,

There is your answer a top carrier. Huh, would not have thought that.

check the forum, loads of threads. Any fluid leaks?

Mar 24, 2022 | 06:17 AM

daveintrouble

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MB CLK200 W209

Thanks Zill. There’s a lot on the microswitches in the threads. I think it will be hydraulic. Tonight I will look for leaks …

Mar 24, 2022 | 07:19 AM

zill

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2008 CLK 550 2012 C300

Dave,

Oh yes. there are about a dozen.

Mar 25, 2022 | 01:31 PM

crazy00c230k

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2000 c230 kompressor special edition, 2012 E550 coupe (sold), 2017 C63 sedan (sold), 2018 C63S Coupe

Great video on micro switch issues. If the pump isn't making crazy noises and the fluid level is OK its likely not being caused by a leak.

Mar 26, 2022 | 01:37 PM

daveintrouble

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MB CLK200 W209

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazy00c230k

https://youtu.be/ZLIdoiw_KTY

Great video on micro switch issues. If the pump isn't making crazy noises and the fluid level is OK its likely not being caused by a leak.

Indeed great video on the switches, thanks. I didn’t find any leaks and all switches seem to be OK at first sight. I’ll start by replacing the two relays next to the pump, though swapping them didn’t make a difference.

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Mar 27, 2022 | 02:21 AM

daveintrouble

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MB CLK200 W209

Quote:

Originally Posted by zill

To my experience there is certainly one I would replace preventively: the top lock cylinder. It leaks into the interior and the oil damages the lining(I know what I am talking about). The other ones leak into more “technical environments” where there will be less visual damage.

kind regards,

David

Mar 27, 2022 | 07:35 AM

#10

zill

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2008 CLK 550 2012 C300

Hi David,

I just watched the clip of Tophydralics replacing the center, windshield, ram. The clip did not mention bleeding the system after the replacement.

So no bleeding?. Without having to bleed the job looked pretty straight forward. I’m going to attempt it and report back.

Thanks,
zill.

Mar 27, 2022 | 08:29 AM

#11

daveintrouble

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MB CLK200 W209

Hey Zill,

I didn’t do any bleeding when replacing…

greetz,

Dave

Mar 27, 2022 | 08:34 AM

#12

zill

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2008 CLK 550 2012 C300

Aces! I’ll replace that cylinder next week.

Thanks very much Dave!

zill.

Mar 28, 2022 | 01:06 PM

#13

crazy00c230k

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2000 c230 kompressor special edition, 2012 E550 coupe (sold), 2017 C63 sedan (sold), 2018 C63S Coupe

I tend to agree with the others on this, its an expensive fix, and relatively time/labor intensive to replace all. Definitely DIY-able if you're handy with a wrench. You can operate the top manually so it's not like you're going to really get stuck anywhere with the top completely inoperable. The top lock leaks into the cabin, can cause damage, so its a good one to do proactively. Plus it is the one cylinder that is separate from all the others, so there really wont be any repitition of work to do it alone. The rest are all in the same general area, so just do them all when one fails.

In regards to bleeding the system, it self bleeds, you just need to run the top a few times and keep topping off the fluid as the air works its way out.

Mar 31, 2022 | 12:56 PM

#14

daveintrouble

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MB CLK200 W209

I replaced the 2 relays … no solution. The windows go down, the top unlocks but the soft top cover doesn’t move though I hear the pump running.

microswitches seem OK

Anybody any clue? I have the old style of cylinders for the tonneau cover … might they be faulty? Or a valve solenoid in the pump? Or wiring?

Mar 31, 2022 | 02:36 PM

#15

crazy00c230k

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2000 c230 kompressor special edition, 2012 E550 coupe (sold), 2017 C63 sedan (sold), 2018 C63S Coupe

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveintrouble

Is the fluid level good? If it is, you likely dont have a leak, so likely not an issue with the cylinders themselves. Also, have you tried to manually open and close the top? That can help to reset things if there is a glitch with a microswitch somewhere in the system. From most of the research I did back when I fixed my mom's car, a running pump with no movement is a sign of a limit switch not being triggered. Might be worth it to just manually open and close a couple if times.

Mar 31, 2022 | 03:29 PM

#16

daveintrouble

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MB CLK200 W209

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazy00c230k

Also, have you tried to manually open and close the top? That can help to reset things if there is a glitch with a microswitch somewhere in the system.

I will give it a try … but it’s a pain in the *** to open manually. Old cylinders with no release button

Apr 14, 2022 | 11:58 AM

#17

daveintrouble

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MB CLK200 W209

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveintrouble

I will give it a try … but it’s a pain in the *** to open manually. Old cylinders with no release button

I opened it manually … it doesn’t want to close … practically the same symptoms. I can hear the pump running but the deck cover doesn’t move 😱

Apr 14, 2022 | 12:41 PM

#18

Barry O

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From: Cape Cod

CLK63, E550, SL500 Silver Arrow,Corvette LT1,ZR1

Soft Top cover

I had the same problem and mine turned out to be the hydraulic rams. I had 3 leaking and I just bit the bullet and did all seven from top hydraulics. I figured the car is 16 years old and has never been out of Florida with the heat and humidity doing a number on everything. It works perfectly now.