SL/R129: r129 soft top button
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: las vegas, nevada, usa
1998 Mercedes SL500 245,000 miles
r129 soft top button
I have been driving myself crazy trying to figure out why when I put my top down everything is normal with the car but when I have the top in the up position the button for the top(which is just above and to the right of the shifter) will be a solid red but when the car is in drive the red light starts to blink. Please tell me what I have been overlooking. 1998 sl500 thank you all for your time
Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 98
Likes: 12
From: Helsinki
R129.067 (500SL '93), EQE, MGB
Sushipaste is right. Take your manual soft top tool (or similar, see instructions in owner's manual) and lock all the latches. Changes are that one of the locks fails to latch properly. A more professional approach would be to read the RST diagnostic trouble codes (DTC).
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: las vegas, nevada, usa
1998 Mercedes SL500 245,000 miles
thank you for the info i will try getting the RST codes. i have never done this before is there a video which i can learn from?
i will let you know if i figure this out.
i will let you know if i figure this out.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: las vegas, nevada, usa
1998 Mercedes SL500 245,000 miles
sl500 top issue
now when i put the top up my roll bar will not raise, it only moves about 2 inches then back down. this will happen 5-6 times then stop not completing the raising of the top cycle.
thank you for help
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2020
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From: Riverside, CA
1999 SL600
next step: find an indy with star diagnostic
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 352
Likes: 61
From: Encinitas, CA
'00 SL600
Theory: at some point in the past, someone replaced the top hydraulics and the microswitch on 1 or both of the bow extension cylinders got out of adjustment.
Please watch this video and pay particular attention beginning around 4m40s
The only problem with this theory is that if it were the cause, then I believe the top wouldn't open or close at all. But it might be worth an inspection just to make sure.
Please watch this video and pay particular attention beginning around 4m40s
The only problem with this theory is that if it were the cause, then I believe the top wouldn't open or close at all. But it might be worth an inspection just to make sure.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: las vegas, nevada, usa
1998 Mercedes SL500 245,000 miles
thank you i will try this since that cylinder was replaced a short while ago. i did discover that the micro switch 129-821-16-51 located on the passenger side for the tonneau cover lock remains in a closed condition regardless of activation. I checked the continuity of that switch by manually moving the micro switch and it showed no change in continuity in either position. Is this normal or is that switch faulty?
thank you for your help
thank you for your help
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 352
Likes: 61
From: Encinitas, CA
'00 SL600
thank you i will try this since that cylinder was replaced a short while ago. i did discover that the micro switch 129-821-16-51 located on the passenger side for the tonneau cover lock remains in a closed condition regardless of activation. I checked the continuity of that switch by manually moving the micro switch and it showed no change in continuity in either position. Is this normal or is that switch faulty?
thank you for your help
thank you for your help
I hope it's helpful and not just sending you down a rabbit hole. Good luck!
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 250
Likes: 45
From: Riverside, CA
1999 SL600
Hold up, did you adjust the lacthes up or down? Are they of even height? check with the hardtop on and check the gaps. The gap between hardtop and the quarter panels should be about 1/4 of an inch
