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SL-Class (R129) 1990-2002: SL 280, SL 300, SL 320, SL 500, SL 600, SL 60 AMG

SL/R129: Convertible Top

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Old Jan 31, 2009 | 11:33 PM
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ravinayak's Avatar
ravinayak
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1990 500 SL
Convertible Top
I it possible and how to disable the electrical control of soft top and hard top(it does not work anymore) so that I can use it manually?
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Old Feb 1, 2009 | 01:30 AM
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nick 55's Avatar
nick 55
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GL550, C55, 335i Coupe, vintage Mustang
Unfortunately for you, the top is hydraulically actuated and locked in position. It would not be practical to manually raise and lower the top, as it really takes 2 people to lift it out of the well that it stows in when down.

Nick
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Old Feb 1, 2009 | 12:07 PM
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bobterry99
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'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
Originally Posted by ravinayak
I it possible and how to disable the electrical control of soft top and hard top(it does not work anymore) so that I can use it manually?
You can manually raise and lower the top without disabling the non-working system. The instructions are in the owner's manual. You use the narrow 10mm wrench supplied with the car's original tool kit to open and close the latches for the top and the cover for the top storage compartment.

Still, if you want to disable the system, simply unplug the top control switch.
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Old May 12, 2009 | 01:37 PM
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DropTop430
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02 clk 430 cabrio
i dont have a owners manual... so how do i do it manually on my 2002 clk 430?
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Old May 13, 2009 | 12:33 AM
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some
Originally Posted by DropTop430
i dont have a owners manual... so how do i do it manually on my 2002 clk 430?
ask your CLK buddies.
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Old May 15, 2009 | 07:44 PM
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Looking at a 1997 500SL currently I drive a 84 E-320 great car have no complaints at all . Now looking for the SL as the weekend fun car..have been scared off by comments on the electrical harness and the convertible-top hydraulics always going bad and expensive to replace. True or False ?? Anything else They missed ???? Rasputin
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Old May 15, 2009 | 07:51 PM
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Need help on purchase of 129
Originally Posted by RedMongoosE
ask your CLK buddies.
NEW AT THIS YOU SEEM TO BE THE EXPERT AFTER READING OTHER COMMENTS.TELL ME ABOUT 1997 500sl ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND HYDRAULIC FOR CON-TOP. CURRENTLY DRIVE A 124 E-320 1984 GREAT CAR.
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Old May 17, 2009 | 03:48 AM
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lynns
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2000 SL500
Originally Posted by DropTop430
i dont have a owners manual... so how do i do it manually on my 2002 clk 430?
Please see R129 Owners Manuals, Service Sheets, Products, and download site for early AMG R129
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Old May 17, 2009 | 11:45 AM
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'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
Originally Posted by dukebebe
have been scared off by comments on the electrical harness and the convertible-top hydraulics always going bad and expensive to replace. True or False ??
The electircal harness is a problem limited to '93-'95 cars, though the '93 300SL is unaffected.

If you own a car long enough you will probably have to have some work done on leaking hydraulics. These repairs normally are not expensive; and if you are willing to do some of the work yourself, they are actually cheap. Cylinders are not difficult to remove, and they can be rebuilt for around $40 by people like Dennis Ficken.
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