SL/R129: top stopped 1/2 way up
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Newbie
Joined: Jun 2017
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1999 SL 500
top stopped 1/2 way up
1999 sl 500.finished putting top up manually. pushed the back cover down and I think that made it blow a cly. can hear spry and fld on ground.windows will not go up. red light flashing.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
Check all fuses -- both front and rear fuse box -- and pay particular attention to the ones for the windows in the rear. If all those are good, then I would find a shop with Star Diagnosis or its equivalent to read codes from the roof controller.
Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 213
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From: SW Florida
1995 SL500 - 2017 AMG GLC 43
Were you able to put the top back down from the 1/2 up position? Are your windows both operating normally? Do they drop 7mm when you open the doors?
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2017
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From: California
1997 500Sl 40th Anniversary edition ,2003 E320
More likely ,you blew a cylinder ,that made the top stop working. You pushing it around just forced more fluid out. Get a flashlight and look at the tops of the cylinders ,most leaks happen on passengers side. The culpreit will be wet and greenish if its factory fluid. You will also have a nice little puddle under the back tire of the side causing the problem. Good news and bad news. Bad news is there are 11 of those cylindars ,mercedes wants 300 to 500 each for new ones. You can get a rebuild kit for like 40 dollars on amazon. It is just o-rings really to rebuild them. I was able to fix one for like 3 dollars with some Orings from lowes. it depends on which one is bad though. I also put AW32 hydraulics fluid in my pump and have had no problems. it is 12 bucks a gallon. You may want to grab a jug or just plain mineral oil "NOT mineral spirits" you can get it from a healthfood store usually. Both are a hell of alot cheaper than watching 20 bucks worth of fluid spill on the ground. I would recommend using the MB fluid once you get the leak fixed however. Hope this helps.
Member
Joined: Mar 2016
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1992 400E, 1997 SL500, 2007 SL55 AMG, 2016 E400
Do you hear the pump operating when you use the switch? If not, your problem is probably electrical. If so, your problem is probably hydraulic. The pump is located in the trunk, but you should be able to hear it from the driver's seat.
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Joined: Apr 2007
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Very sorry to hear this. This is a well known problem. You probably just need new seals on up to 11 hydraulic cylinders. From what I hear don't just fix the bad one. Fix them all and live in peace. Also - very important - don't run the pump in the trunk dry. That a VERY expensive piece of equipment.
