SL/R129: R129 softtop open/close issues
08-25-2024, 05:38 PM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
R129 softtop open/close issues
Hi all,
I know that pretty much everything has been written about issues regarding soft top not opening / closing properly but let me just explain my specific case and the result of a first check from my side.
I just got this R129 in a sorry state, wanting to save her. When I hit the red button to open the top, the windows are going down as expected, but once they are fully down, the button starts flashing and the top won't move.
Furthermore, the roll bar up-and-down button won't move the roll-bar, only a sound relay tick is heard when I tap it, either opening or closing. Same thing happens with the softtop button IF the car has engine off - loud tick on opening or closing but nothing moves. Instead, if the engine is ON, softtop button would trigger the windows downward movement and then stop there, flashing.
I already checked the fuses in the trunk and in the engine bay. Checked the fluid level in the hydraulic pump, it's OK. What can I check further from the electrical part? I would like to test the roof ECU but still have to investigate that part.
Furthermore, I am pretty sure one or more cylinders are shot but in that case che movement should be triggered at least, with the car then unable to complete che process or so, but I would hardly think it won't move at all.
Chances are the car has been left standing quite some time.
Thank you in advance for all your precious insights!
Regards
I know that pretty much everything has been written about issues regarding soft top not opening / closing properly but let me just explain my specific case and the result of a first check from my side.
I just got this R129 in a sorry state, wanting to save her. When I hit the red button to open the top, the windows are going down as expected, but once they are fully down, the button starts flashing and the top won't move.
Furthermore, the roll bar up-and-down button won't move the roll-bar, only a sound relay tick is heard when I tap it, either opening or closing. Same thing happens with the softtop button IF the car has engine off - loud tick on opening or closing but nothing moves. Instead, if the engine is ON, softtop button would trigger the windows downward movement and then stop there, flashing.
I already checked the fuses in the trunk and in the engine bay. Checked the fluid level in the hydraulic pump, it's OK. What can I check further from the electrical part? I would like to test the roof ECU but still have to investigate that part.
Furthermore, I am pretty sure one or more cylinders are shot but in that case che movement should be triggered at least, with the car then unable to complete che process or so, but I would hardly think it won't move at all.
Chances are the car has been left standing quite some time.
Thank you in advance for all your precious insights!
Regards
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PeteBee (Yesterday)
Yesterday, 09:15 AM
#2
Super Member
Have you tried cycling the top manually?
Do you have a MB dealership nearby that can scan the top controller?
Do you have any persistent trouble lights after the engine starts?
When my top cylinders started leaking (catastrophically in the end), the top still operated and most importantly, so did the roll bar. Do you hear the top pump trying to work?
Do you have a MB dealership nearby that can scan the top controller?
Do you have any persistent trouble lights after the engine starts?
When my top cylinders started leaking (catastrophically in the end), the top still operated and most importantly, so did the roll bar. Do you hear the top pump trying to work?
Yesterday, 05:24 PM
#3
Newbie
Thread Starter
Hi, thank you for your reply!
What do you mean by cycling the top manually? I just manually removed the hardtop and then closed/opened the softtop manually because any other automatic operation was out of order.
Regarding the Mercedes dealer, there's something closer to the city.
No lights on the dash are on
When I operate either the roll bar button, or the red roof button, a sound ticking (like a relay) is heard, but nothing else. I can't tell if the pump is getting power - will have to check that.
What do you mean by cycling the top manually? I just manually removed the hardtop and then closed/opened the softtop manually because any other automatic operation was out of order.
Regarding the Mercedes dealer, there's something closer to the city.
No lights on the dash are on
When I operate either the roll bar button, or the red roof button, a sound ticking (like a relay) is heard, but nothing else. I can't tell if the pump is getting power - will have to check that.
