jnorth

91 500sl. The top was working. Unfortunately a clogged drain hole in the trunk caused some wiring damage. It burned up the relay and the pins for one of the wires. I've repaired the wiring harness with new MB connectors etc and cleaned all the connectors for the undamaged wires but still the top is a no go. When I hit the switch it lights up but nothing happens. The pump does not seem to be operating. It will however put the windows back up so something in the circuit is working. The rollbar switch will not operate the rollbar either. I tried to pull the codes by jumping 10 and 1 on the diagnostic connector and the switch lit up but when I removed the jumper wire the switch light went out and never came back on with any codes at all. So before I go out and replace the pump is there any way to hot wire it to see if it is good? Thanks.

bobterry99

If you placed that jumper for 2-4 seconds and didn't get at least one flash, then your top controller has a defect, though it may not be serious enough to disable the top.

There is a pink-colored relay installed on the pump. If you remove the relay and jumper sockets #1 and #3 the pump is forced to run provided its fuse and wiring are good.

jnorth

Thank you Bob I will go try that right now and report back or order a new pump!

jnorth

Ok so I jumped 1 and 3 and nothing. Then I checked 1 and 3 with a multimeter and 3 had 12 volts so it must be the pump. I just had a thought... I will run a ground wire right to the pump and try it again but it sure looks like a pump. Thanks again!

jnorth

Put a new pump on. Went to put the top down. Rear of the top comes up. Deck comes up and then nothing. Wouldn't go down and it wouldn't go up. So I manually lowered it. The good news is I was able to get the codes this time. Here they are

6 Soft top compartment cover "closed", limit switch,
7 Soft top compartment cover "open", limit switch
10 Soft top fabric bow "raised", limit switch
11 Left front soft top "locked", limit switch

I went through them three times and then tried to get them to clear but no luck clearing them. While the top was raised I worked the microswitch for the compartment cover and the switch for the back of the top. I could hear them clicking and at least the soft top compartment cover appeared to be set correctly (well in my mind it is because when you manually move the cover the switch clicks when you barely start to lower it). So I'm thinking I may have caused 6,7 and 10 so maybe 11 is where I should be looking? Or should I continue to try and clear the codes and start over? Currently it will put the windows down but the roll bar does nothing. After I put the pump on but before I tried to put the top down I did successfully raise and lower the rollbar with the rollbar switch.

bobterry99

The meaning of some of those codes is wrong. You can download a manual with the codes here: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129...?.#post2342164.

Anyhow, I think those codes are probably old and don't relate to the current problem. To get a fresh code, you operate the top and once it stops you continue to hold the switch until the lamp in the switch flashes.

jnorth

I went on vaction for about a week but am back to work on this now. That is where I got the codes from. Maybe I was looking at the wrong year or something? I'll go out now and try to operate the top. Currently I have it down. Thats not easy to do by the way, to put it down manually. I'll go hold the switch until it flashes and be back to you in a minute with the code.

jnorth

Ok so I tried that. I held the switch in the up postion and the switch lit up and I held it until it flashed. Unfortunately it was a steady flash. No long pauses. Just steady flashing. Should I assume that means it thinks there is nothing wrong?

bobterry99

Steady flashing while you press the switch indicates the top controller has detected a fault and stopped the operation. That is what you wanted. Now if you read codes, one of them should be specific to your current problem.

jnorth

Hi Bob its been a while since I worked on it. I've just been driving it with the top down. So here is the latest. I finally was able to get it to clear the codes completely. Then I tried to put the top up and got an error 2. So I decided I'd put the top up manually and clear the codes again. So I did that and tried to put the top down and got error 6 and 7

6 Limit switch, left locked, soft top fabric bow
7 Limit switch, right locked, soft top fabric bow

What do you think? The top worked then the pump smoked due to water in the trunk. I replaced the pump and the top went halfway down and now I get nothing but error codes. You think the top controller is just hosed and the codes are phantoms and there is really nothing wrong with all the switches?

Chiuvas

H I Have 93 500sl Everything Was Working Fine But I Put My Soft Top Down And After That I Couldnt Close It So I Put Hard Top On It Closed And Now I Cant Open It When You Push To Close It Moves But When You Push To Open Just The Steady Light Is On Please Help Also How I Can Get Eror Codes?

bobterry99

If the bow is actually latched, then you may need to adjust the microswitches on the latches. If it is not latched, then maybe the hydraulic cylinders on the latches are defective or the catches on the bow are misaligned with the latches.