aamechs2

We have a 2009 CLK350, we recently installed a new battery battery and now the top operation is erratic. During operation, the windows go down and the trunk part (not sure what it's called, the area in front of the trunk that opens for the top to fold into) opens and the back window goes up but the top doesn't fold down. It was working sometimes but now it won't work at all. We put it back down but the back window stays up and the trunk part doesn't slide forward.

Yidney

If you search this forum, you will probably find the answer. Questions about tops that stop working mid-cycle are becoming more and more frequent as the cars age. Since mine has not yet had an issue, I have not committed the answers to specific problems to memory. Given what you describe, my best guess is a bad or broken limit switch. There are a number of tiny little switches in the system so that when a part of the top presses a switch, that sets the next step of the sequence in motion. If a switch is bad, the sequence stops. I feel certain that the identity of which switch is the likely culprit in your situation has been identified here more than once by Rodney - screen name Rudeney. He'll respond here later, I'm sure. The second option is you have a fluid leak. But you would hear the pump motor still running in that case. Do you?

EDIT: A third, but less common, possibility is that your pump motor suddenly failed. But I would not bet on that.

aamechs2

No the pump isn't running and I don't see any fluid.

I am searching but it's hard to find a clear cut answer. We are getting ready to sell the car in order to buy our twins a car so we don't want to spend a lot on it. I'm an aircraft mechanic so usually can figure out what's not working but this top has so many moving parts!

When I move the switch to open the top, everything works until it's time for the top itself to fold down. I can see a little movement at the back window but nothing happens.

When I try to close it the trunk part goes back down then nothing else moves. The trunk part does not slide forward but I think that happens after the back window goes down.

Yidney

That fluid can be very hard to see, but what you say reconfirms my suspicion about a switch. Doing a switch yourself is pretty cheap and easy. You just need to figure out which one it is. You can take Rodney's best guess, which is usually spot on, but a place with the MB Star diagnostic system can read faults in the top system and tell which part is bad. You could pay for the read and fix it yourself. Personally, I'd be willing to buy parts on Rodney's advice.

Yidney

Also, I assume you know there is a procedure to close it manually. It's in your manual. Just be sure to do the step where you release pressure in the hydraulic system so the fluid can flow in the lines without putting pressure on the seals.

aamechs2

We can't get into the trunk because the trunk part is in the way, the trunk only opens about an inch (using key that's in the fob) since we can't turn the valves to safely push the top closed

The front of the top is unlatched and when I push slightly on it, I can hear something trying to run but it immediately shuts off.

OK moved the back partition and released the hydraulic pressure so we can close the trunk part. Reservoir is just below the minimum (couldn't see until we got into the trunk). Could that cause the problem? But it doesn't seem like any of the actuators would work. Checking fuses now.

There's a piece broken off, back by the trunk part. Trying to upload a picture

Continuing to read thru threads on this forum but there's so many about the partition or tops that won't open at all. (Btw, I am typing for my hubby and trying to do some troubleshooting, also an aircraft mechanic but I don't work much on the cars cuz he can't cook )

aamechs2

accidentally deleted picture trying to add one

Rudeney

My guess is the "piece broken off" is the issue. I suspect it's this:

http://benzbits.com/w209/soft_top/co...t%20switch.pdf

It tells the computer once the cover is fully opened so that it can begin lowering the top into the trunk.

Yidney

Rodney, did you reply before you saw his pic, because I think there may be a disconnect.

aamechs2

Lol my hubby says that Rodney hasn't replied because I'm "talking" too much.

We obviously need this part but it doesn't look like it affects top operation Jason said it worked previously with that broken so we're back to square 3.

Yidney

Yeah, that part is a hold for when you are working on the top. Rodney thought you meant something else.

Rudeney

Yes, I replied before seeing the photo. I still think the "cover opened limit switch" is the culprit. That photo just shows broken hinge supports. When this happens, they usually just make loud popping noises and don't interfere with opening or closing. They are only used to keep the soft top cover locked open when servicing the hydraulics. You can literally just break those plastic pieces off if they are making noises - they are not needed for normal top operation.

aamechs2

I think this is the switch you are referring to. I found a thread on checking it with a meter so that's my next step. Hopefully it's that, thanks for the help

aamechs2

Better picture.

Rudeney

Yes, that's the one. Often it's not the the switch itself goes bad, but that the plastic clip holding it in place breaks loose.