SL/R129: 1999 SL 500 Soft Top won't come up after main cylinder replacement
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1999 SL 500
1999 SL 500 Soft Top won't come up after main cylinder replacement
So I replaced the Left Main Cylinder. Exactly according to the Top Hydraulics instructions. Whole process went very smooth. However after toping off the hydraulic fluid and restoring the car, the soft top won't function!!
I have synched the windows according to the manual but still no luck.
The windows and the roll bar both function normally.
If I manually raise the top and lock it in place, the tourneau cover closes and the back locks in position. If I try to open it at that point, the tourneau cover opens, the back raises, but thats it. The front windshield locks don't release or anything else..
If I manually lower the top and lock the tourneau cover and then try raising the top, The tourneau cover opens and thats it. Nothing else!!
I am at a loss.
Klaus....someone please help.....
Thanks
Bruce
I have synched the windows according to the manual but still no luck.
The windows and the roll bar both function normally.
If I manually raise the top and lock it in place, the tourneau cover closes and the back locks in position. If I try to open it at that point, the tourneau cover opens, the back raises, but thats it. The front windshield locks don't release or anything else..
If I manually lower the top and lock the tourneau cover and then try raising the top, The tourneau cover opens and thats it. Nothing else!!
I am at a loss.
Klaus....someone please help.....
Thanks
Bruce
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 475
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From: On the beautiful Oregon Coast
03 SL Kleemann, 97 SL320 pano top, 95 Lorinser E320 Cabrio, Ferrari 360, Tesla X
So I replaced the Left Main Cylinder. Exactly according to the Top Hydraulics instructions. Whole process went very smooth. However after toping off the hydraulic fluid and restoring the car, the soft top won't function!!
I have synched the windows according to the manual but still no luck.
The windows and the roll bar both function normally.
If I manually raise the top and lock it in place, the tourneau cover closes and the back locks in position. If I try to open it at that point, the tourneau cover opens, the back raises, but thats it. The front windshield locks don't release or anything else..
If I manually lower the top and lock the tourneau cover and then try raising the top, The tourneau cover opens and thats it. Nothing else!!
I am at a loss.
Klaus....someone please help.....
Thanks
Bruce
I have synched the windows according to the manual but still no luck.
The windows and the roll bar both function normally.
If I manually raise the top and lock it in place, the tourneau cover closes and the back locks in position. If I try to open it at that point, the tourneau cover opens, the back raises, but thats it. The front windshield locks don't release or anything else..
If I manually lower the top and lock the tourneau cover and then try raising the top, The tourneau cover opens and thats it. Nothing else!!
I am at a loss.
Klaus....someone please help.....
Thanks
Bruce
Let's cover the window sync first: do the windows drop a fraction of an inch when you open the doors?
If they don't drop that fraction of an inch, then the sync didn't work and we will have to cover details on window sync that are not in the owner's manual.
If the window sync is confirmed successful, then I would next check if the micro switch 1298205510 on the left fabric bow extension cylinder 1298001772 accidentally got disconnected when you replaced the left main lift cylinder 1298000272 and you may have pulled a little hard on the wiring harness near the main lift cylinder. The connector is hiding inside the quarter panel, a little below the door strike plate.
Klaus
www.tophydraulicsinc.com
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Joined: Mar 2014
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1999 SL 500
Klaus,
The windows do open a fraction when the door is opened, leading me to believe they are properly synched. I examined the Micro switch as described and there seems to be no damage to the wiring all seems to be intact.
However, if you recall on another thread I had questioned the convertible top switch staying illuminated even with the top in the full up position and appearing to be fully locked. This occurred after changing the Left Bow Extension cylinder several months ago. You suspected that the chip was the culprit. However after examining it, it appears to look correct without any asymmetry or the appearance of damage. The top continued to go up and down normally, with the exception of the light remaining on after it was in the up position.
This current problem now, is after changing the Left main cylinder. Again their appears to be no damage to the micro chip or wiring leading to it or the connections.
Upon inspection further, I am now noticing hydraulic fluid leaking form the Right Tonneau Cover Lock Cylinder. I can hear it and see it.
Would this lead to inadequate hydraulic pressure and failure of the top to raise/lower???
I am going to order R and L Tonneau Cylinders and a R Main Cylinder. I will replace all 3. This will mean I will have replaced the R and L Mains, Extension Bows and Tonneau Cover Lock Cylinders.
How about the Micro-chip??? Can I get a replacement for this???
Bruce
The windows do open a fraction when the door is opened, leading me to believe they are properly synched. I examined the Micro switch as described and there seems to be no damage to the wiring all seems to be intact.
However, if you recall on another thread I had questioned the convertible top switch staying illuminated even with the top in the full up position and appearing to be fully locked. This occurred after changing the Left Bow Extension cylinder several months ago. You suspected that the chip was the culprit. However after examining it, it appears to look correct without any asymmetry or the appearance of damage. The top continued to go up and down normally, with the exception of the light remaining on after it was in the up position.
This current problem now, is after changing the Left main cylinder. Again their appears to be no damage to the micro chip or wiring leading to it or the connections.
Upon inspection further, I am now noticing hydraulic fluid leaking form the Right Tonneau Cover Lock Cylinder. I can hear it and see it.
Would this lead to inadequate hydraulic pressure and failure of the top to raise/lower???
I am going to order R and L Tonneau Cylinders and a R Main Cylinder. I will replace all 3. This will mean I will have replaced the R and L Mains, Extension Bows and Tonneau Cover Lock Cylinders.
How about the Micro-chip??? Can I get a replacement for this???
Bruce
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2014
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1999 SL 500
Klaus or anyone.
I have now replaced the main cylinder on both sides, the bow cylinders on both sides and the tonneau lock on the passenger side andthe micro switch 1298205510 on the left fabric bow extension cylinder.
The top will still not raise or lower!!!!!
I have synched the windows according to the manual but still no luck. Yes,
they open a fraction of an inch when you open the doors.
The windows and the roll bar both function normally.
If I manually raise the top and lock it in place, the tourneau cover closes and the back locks in position. If I try to open it at that point, the tourneau cover opens, the back raises, but thats it. The front windshield locks don't release or anything else..
If I manually lower the top and lock the tourneau cover and then try raising the top, The tourneau cover opens and thats it. Nothing else!!
HELP!!!
I have now replaced the main cylinder on both sides, the bow cylinders on both sides and the tonneau lock on the passenger side andthe micro switch 1298205510 on the left fabric bow extension cylinder.
The top will still not raise or lower!!!!!
I have synched the windows according to the manual but still no luck. Yes,
they open a fraction of an inch when you open the doors.
The windows and the roll bar both function normally.
If I manually raise the top and lock it in place, the tourneau cover closes and the back locks in position. If I try to open it at that point, the tourneau cover opens, the back raises, but thats it. The front windshield locks don't release or anything else..
If I manually lower the top and lock the tourneau cover and then try raising the top, The tourneau cover opens and thats it. Nothing else!!
HELP!!!
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 475
Likes: 41
From: On the beautiful Oregon Coast
03 SL Kleemann, 97 SL320 pano top, 95 Lorinser E320 Cabrio, Ferrari 360, Tesla X
Klaus or anyone.
I have now replaced the main cylinder on both sides, the bow cylinders on both sides and the tonneau lock on the passenger side andthe micro switch 1298205510 on the left fabric bow extension cylinder.
The top will still not raise or lower!!!!!
I have synched the windows according to the manual but still no luck. Yes,
they open a fraction of an inch when you open the doors.
The windows and the roll bar both function normally.
If I manually raise the top and lock it in place, the tourneau cover closes and the back locks in position. If I try to open it at that point, the tourneau cover opens, the back raises, but thats it. The front windshield locks don't release or anything else..
If I manually lower the top and lock the tourneau cover and then try raising the top, The tourneau cover opens and thats it. Nothing else!!
HELP!!!
I have now replaced the main cylinder on both sides, the bow cylinders on both sides and the tonneau lock on the passenger side andthe micro switch 1298205510 on the left fabric bow extension cylinder.
The top will still not raise or lower!!!!!
I have synched the windows according to the manual but still no luck. Yes,
they open a fraction of an inch when you open the doors.
The windows and the roll bar both function normally.
If I manually raise the top and lock it in place, the tourneau cover closes and the back locks in position. If I try to open it at that point, the tourneau cover opens, the back raises, but thats it. The front windshield locks don't release or anything else..
If I manually lower the top and lock the tourneau cover and then try raising the top, The tourneau cover opens and thats it. Nothing else!!
HELP!!!
It would probably be best having the codes read, printed out, and reset at this point. Some customers have given me a similar description, where resetting the codes via Star Diagnostics was all it took to fix the problem after too many codes had accumulated.
Look at the bright side: you literally saved thousands of Dollars already by having Top Hydraulics rebuild & upgrade those five cylinders, compared to buying the parts new from the dealer... :-)
Klaus
www.tophydraulicsinc.com
SPONSOR
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 475
Likes: 41
From: On the beautiful Oregon Coast
03 SL Kleemann, 97 SL320 pano top, 95 Lorinser E320 Cabrio, Ferrari 360, Tesla X
Bruce,
you would need to go to the dealer, or to a good Indie that has Star Diagnostics, also known as SDS.
Klaus
www.tophydraulicsinc.com
you would need to go to the dealer, or to a good Indie that has Star Diagnostics, also known as SDS.
Klaus
www.tophydraulicsinc.com
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1999 ML 320
G'Day all, This is directed to Klaus, or anyone else who might know. I have a '93 SL 500, prod. date of 06/93. I have all sort's of issue's with the soft top operation. I replaced the 2 cylinder's on the windscreen that lock the top. Now, if I try to retract (lower) the topthe rear release'sand it start's to move, but stop's because the cylinder's I replaced do not 'unlock'. If I unlock them manually, I have more movement but not a complete retraction. BTW, the window's are definatly not in sync, but do lower completely, both manually and with the top control. Also, sometime's the roll bar function's properly, most time's not. Ok, I did try to retrive diagnostic code's, but the connector on my car is round and under a cover on what appears to be a computer. I am going banana's trying to figure this out. More info, before I replaced the leaking cyclinder's, all seemed to function good except the top would only go up halfway, make a loud 'click' and stop. Hydralic oil would come out of the windscreen area, so that is why those cylinder's were replaced, with some from Klaus' company, Top Hydralic's. Can I retreive the code's from a round connector, and is there a way to bleed the cylinder's??? Thank you in advance. BTW, I am an engineer for elecrical, and have been in the automotive field for 50& years.
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 7
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i own a 1999 w129 SL500
1999 SL 500 Top won't come up
I removed my hard top and rwhen I wanted to raise the soft top the red indicator light up and that's it there was no sound of any mechanical activation I pushed the switch the other direction and you can hear the pumps activate. I've checked all fuses front and back and all seamed normal I did the windows synchronization nothing any ideas
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 3
1997 SL500
So I replaced the Left Main Cylinder. Exactly according to the Top Hydraulics instructions. Whole process went very smooth. However after toping off the hydraulic fluid and restoring the car, the soft top won't function!!
I have synched the windows according to the manual but still no luck.
The windows and the roll bar both function normally.
If I manually raise the top and lock it in place, the tourneau cover closes and the back locks in position. If I try to open it at that point, the tourneau cover opens, the back raises, but thats it. The front windshield locks don't release or anything else..
If I manually lower the top and lock the tourneau cover and then try raising the top, The tourneau cover opens and thats it. Nothing else!!
I am at a loss.
Klaus....someone please help.....
Thanks
Bruce
I have synched the windows according to the manual but still no luck.
The windows and the roll bar both function normally.
If I manually raise the top and lock it in place, the tourneau cover closes and the back locks in position. If I try to open it at that point, the tourneau cover opens, the back raises, but thats it. The front windshield locks don't release or anything else..
If I manually lower the top and lock the tourneau cover and then try raising the top, The tourneau cover opens and thats it. Nothing else!!
I am at a loss.
Klaus....someone please help.....
Thanks
Bruce
I know this is an old post, but I own a 1997 SL500 and just replaced the bow cylinders with rebuilt units, and I am experiencing exactly what you describe.in your original post. Did you ever get a resolution to your problem? If so, what did you have to do?
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
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From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
You need to unbolt the end of the left-side hydraulic cylinder from the bow, rotate it 180 degrees, and re-install. This end is what actuates the bow-raised limit switch, and since it is asymmetrical, with the wrong orientation the switch does not get closed.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 3
1997 SL500
Awesome - and thank you. I wondered if it mattered which way it was installed, and I didn't make a mental note of it when I removed it. I will try it the minute I get home.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 7
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1997 SL500
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 2
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From: FLORIDA
1998 SL 500
98 r129 soft top locks
Replaced bow cylinder and have a problem with rear locks bending at bottom of slot. Removed and straightened both. After several cycles left one bent again. Straightened it and adjusted to center over opening. Cycled several times and then the right side bent again. It keeps happening but takes several cycles to bend one or the other. Any suggestions?
mstaglian@gmail.com
mstaglian@gmail.com
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Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 4
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2013 S550 4 matic
bow cylinders
I replaced all cylinders and it all worked but the right bow cylinder rod bent. Klaus thought the lines may have been revered. the lines are marked with blue or white paint on each one. does blue or white paint go on top?
