top problems
SL/R129: Soft Top wont retract completely
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
1999 SL 500
Soft Top wont retract completely
99 SL500 - 50K miles.
Top mechanism has been intermittent for a while now. Now it wont open all the way (get's stuck at the top). Here is the sequence:
1) Windows roll - normal
2) back hatch opens - normal
3) back window folds ip - normal
4) top winshield actuators release - normal
5) freezes - not normal
I can hear the actuator pulsing every second trying to catch it to close.
It has done this intermittently for several years but usually opens when i cycle it a few times. Now it freezes every time.
Closes OK though.
Please advise. Thanks! Mitch
Top mechanism has been intermittent for a while now. Now it wont open all the way (get's stuck at the top). Here is the sequence:
1) Windows roll - normal
2) back hatch opens - normal
3) back window folds ip - normal
4) top winshield actuators release - normal
5) freezes - not normal
I can hear the actuator pulsing every second trying to catch it to close.
It has done this intermittently for several years but usually opens when i cycle it a few times. Now it freezes every time.
Closes OK though.
Please advise. Thanks! Mitch
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Boston & Los Angeles
Volvo & Mercedes
I am by no means an expert, but I'll give it a try. The front latches have a known problem to leak hydraulic fluid and subsequently fail to release. This may have been what happened. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable can lend this expertise, but you (or the dealership) can check the fluid reservoir in the back to determine if there has been some loss.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 282
Likes: 3
From: Bradenton, FL
'87 560SL Sold, '99 SL500 For Keeps
Mitch,
The moderator of the 129 Forum at Benzworld.org pulled together a large set of threads about the functioning of the various parts of the top system, how to diagnose and how to fix. Here's the link...
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129...ml#post2419223
Bob
The moderator of the 129 Forum at Benzworld.org pulled together a large set of threads about the functioning of the various parts of the top system, how to diagnose and how to fix. Here's the link...
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129...ml#post2419223
Bob
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Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 223
Likes: 43
From: PA
2016 E350 Sedan SPort
resync windows if top preezes being raised
My 1996 SL320 froze periodically when raising the soft top.
resynced the windows and problem has gone away.
Followed sync procedure in manual but held up button 10 seconds instead of the 2 seconds the owners manual--
in quiet garage--heard a click after about 8 seconds.
resynced the windows and problem has gone away.
Followed sync procedure in manual but held up button 10 seconds instead of the 2 seconds the owners manual--
in quiet garage--heard a click after about 8 seconds.
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