SL/R129: oily fluid dripping from ceiling
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R129 SL500
oily fluid dripping from ceiling
Hi,
I have an oily fluid dripping from the ceiling (where the rear view mirror goes).
I had the mirror removed for a while for repair, and the fluid dirpped from the hole, and then later started dripping from where the sun-visor is attached to the ceiling. Could this be related to the hard/soft top latches (maybe they are operated by hydraulic, and the hose fittings for the fluid are loose)?
Thanks....
1997 SL500 w/AMG Aero Monoblock I
I have an oily fluid dripping from the ceiling (where the rear view mirror goes).
I had the mirror removed for a while for repair, and the fluid dirpped from the hole, and then later started dripping from where the sun-visor is attached to the ceiling. Could this be related to the hard/soft top latches (maybe they are operated by hydraulic, and the hose fittings for the fluid are loose)?Thanks....
1997 SL500 w/AMG Aero Monoblock I
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R129 SL500
Now my Instrument Panel is dead
Is this a problem that needs to be fixed?
I took the windshield moulding off today, and indeed see lots of fluid around the cylinders. I cleaned them off, but later there was more fluid, though I can't see exactly where they're coming from. I'm guessing that the seal for the line and the cylinder is bad, but that I'll have to replace the entire cylinder....
A bigger problem, tho. I put everything back, and now the Instrument Panel, including the speedometer, odometer, tach, oil pressure, fuel level, and clock are dead.
I took everything apart again and put it back, but dead. But the car starts and drives fine, except that the turn signals don't operate anymore.
What should I do? Taking it to the dealer might cost me an arm and a leg....
I took the windshield moulding off today, and indeed see lots of fluid around the cylinders. I cleaned them off, but later there was more fluid, though I can't see exactly where they're coming from. I'm guessing that the seal for the line and the cylinder is bad, but that I'll have to replace the entire cylinder....
A bigger problem, tho. I put everything back, and now the Instrument Panel, including the speedometer, odometer, tach, oil pressure, fuel level, and clock are dead.
I took everything apart again and put it back, but dead. But the car starts and drives fine, except that the turn signals don't operate anymore.What should I do? Taking it to the dealer might cost me an arm and a leg....
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From: UK
SL55 AMG
You do need to get this fixed. It may just be that the hydraulic pipes which run up the A pillar and across are not correctly seated in the latches; the pipe itself may have failed (better hope not) or the hydraulic cylinder seals may have failed.
It's all possible to do yourself, depending on how confident you feel, but you should not let it go on like this, the hydraulic fluid could ruin trim parts. If you are tempted to take a closer look youself, be extremely careful when you remove the covering behind the sun visor:
- Remove the rear view mirror by pulling it
- Remove the two interior lights
- Remove 3 screws to release the centre console and disconnect
- Remove the sun visor - screws at the hinge and clip ends
- Ease the cover down at the back edge then ease it forwards to disengage the clips which hold it to the windshield rail.
It's very easy to break the plastic clip holder on the cover, which costs about $60.
As for the electrical failure, check the fuses under the hood and in the trunk. If they are all OK, there are more, not normally accessible to the user under the cover where the diagnostic connection is made, on the opposite side from the main fuse box. In my right hand drive car, this electronics bay is on the left (passenger side) of the car. You will need a small hex wrench to remove the cover and also latch the hood straight up by depressing the hinge stops at each side and lifting the hood until it is vertical. Under that cover, you will find more fuses which supply power to the electronics, including the instrument panel.
Golden rule when working on the car is to disconnect the battery!
It's all possible to do yourself, depending on how confident you feel, but you should not let it go on like this, the hydraulic fluid could ruin trim parts. If you are tempted to take a closer look youself, be extremely careful when you remove the covering behind the sun visor:
- Remove the rear view mirror by pulling it
- Remove the two interior lights
- Remove 3 screws to release the centre console and disconnect
- Remove the sun visor - screws at the hinge and clip ends
- Ease the cover down at the back edge then ease it forwards to disengage the clips which hold it to the windshield rail.
It's very easy to break the plastic clip holder on the cover, which costs about $60.
As for the electrical failure, check the fuses under the hood and in the trunk. If they are all OK, there are more, not normally accessible to the user under the cover where the diagnostic connection is made, on the opposite side from the main fuse box. In my right hand drive car, this electronics bay is on the left (passenger side) of the car. You will need a small hex wrench to remove the cover and also latch the hood straight up by depressing the hinge stops at each side and lifting the hood until it is vertical. Under that cover, you will find more fuses which supply power to the electronics, including the instrument panel.
Golden rule when working on the car is to disconnect the battery!
Last edited by blueSL; Oct 18, 2004 at 03:53 AM.
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R129 SL500
Instrument Panel still not working
Well, I found the fuse. It was in the engine compartment. The fuse was good, and power flows through both sides of the fuse while installed in the fuse box (I tested it). I also took the window moulding apart again (both topand bottom) and disconnected all the connections to make sure no hydraulic fluid was conducting and short circuiting anything, but no luck. Not only do my guages not work, the Blinkers don't work, the Bttery light and the Parking Break lights are on now (it's not the alternator--I checked).
What should I do next? Does any one know how much fixing this (plus replacing the hydraulic cylinders) cost?
Thanks....
What should I do next? Does any one know how much fixing this (plus replacing the hydraulic cylinders) cost?
Thanks....
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,447
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From: UK
SL55 AMG
Hydraulic fluid doesn't conduct and if the electrical fault has happened while you have been working on the car, it's more likely a connector had been left disconnected somewhere or a wire has got pinched.
These types of faults are very difficult to find. I had an internal short circuit in the wiring to the brake pedal which took out the same sorts of things as you are seeing. Because they are difficult to find, it's a matter of luck how quickly the problem is found and therefore how much it costs.
I think you need to take it to a dealer, As for cost, difficult to know exactly, the new cylinders will be at least $100 each, plus let's say 4 hours labour at $100+ an hour to fit and fix the electrical problem plus tax. You might have change from $1000...
These types of faults are very difficult to find. I had an internal short circuit in the wiring to the brake pedal which took out the same sorts of things as you are seeing. Because they are difficult to find, it's a matter of luck how quickly the problem is found and therefore how much it costs.
I think you need to take it to a dealer, As for cost, difficult to know exactly, the new cylinders will be at least $100 each, plus let's say 4 hours labour at $100+ an hour to fit and fix the electrical problem plus tax. You might have change from $1000...
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R129 SL500
Rain causing problem?
$1000 sounds like bad news....
But, come to think of it, the problem started a few hours after it rained. And when I called the MB 24-hour Road Assistance, the person asked me if it rained. Sounds to me like these cars may be prone to short circuiting from water? Unfortunetely, it's still raining, so I haven't had a chance to have the car dry throughly....
But, come to think of it, the problem started a few hours after it rained. And when I called the MB 24-hour Road Assistance, the person asked me if it rained. Sounds to me like these cars may be prone to short circuiting from water? Unfortunetely, it's still raining, so I haven't had a chance to have the car dry throughly....
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Thread Starter
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R129 SL500
I just had a mechanic fix it. It cost $500 (with Los Angeles tax). And he found the fuse for the instrument panel, but won't tell me which one it was.
He also did a few other things to my car: broke off my visor (which he blamed on the age of my car); scratched the side of the car obviously with his belt buckle while taking the top off; put a giant patch of sticky grease on the leather trim on my door (which not looks like cr*p and won't come off!!!!!); nicked the edge of the multi-belt and told me that I have to replace it (at least I think he nicked it because the belt was brand new); pulled out a 6-inch chunk of the rubber seal at the top of the hard-top; and when I got the car back, the hard-top was on only on 3 corners (the 4th was not even in). Finally, when I took apart the top windshield moulding to see if he did indeed replace the hydraulic cylinders with new ones, I found that he had broken the little sensor embedded in the top moulding (the sensor's function, I don't know). Would it be wrong to reveal this mechanic's company name?
He also did a few other things to my car: broke off my visor (which he blamed on the age of my car); scratched the side of the car obviously with his belt buckle while taking the top off; put a giant patch of sticky grease on the leather trim on my door (which not looks like cr*p and won't come off!!!!!); nicked the edge of the multi-belt and told me that I have to replace it (at least I think he nicked it because the belt was brand new); pulled out a 6-inch chunk of the rubber seal at the top of the hard-top; and when I got the car back, the hard-top was on only on 3 corners (the 4th was not even in). Finally, when I took apart the top windshield moulding to see if he did indeed replace the hydraulic cylinders with new ones, I found that he had broken the little sensor embedded in the top moulding (the sensor's function, I don't know). Would it be wrong to reveal this mechanic's company name?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: UK
SL55 AMG
The sensor in the top centre console is the temperature sensor for the air conditioning. There's a tiny fan to draw air in over a thermistor to measure the temperature. Depending on what he's broken it will not measure the temperature correctly or else cause the air con to go wild. Expensive part to replace, the whole centre console has to be replaced, only the lamps and switches are sold separately.
You'll also find a new sun visor is eye wateringly expensive, especially if it's leather.
Given the amount of damage he did, it's amazing he didn't damage the mounting clips of the trim covers. They are held in position with oh-so-easy-to-break black plastic buttons glued to the inside of the trim. I assume this is not an offical MB dealer?
You'll also find a new sun visor is eye wateringly expensive, especially if it's leather.
Given the amount of damage he did, it's amazing he didn't damage the mounting clips of the trim covers. They are held in position with oh-so-easy-to-break black plastic buttons glued to the inside of the trim. I assume this is not an offical MB dealer?
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R129 SL500
Never again
No, not a real Merc dealer. I found it in the Yellow Pages--the ad stated something like "Voted Best Mercedes Mechanic." BS.
As for the sensor, the AC works fine, so I think it's ok. I recall that the sensor was pulled out of its little hole, and the white rubber was broken apart with the wires going whichever way. I stuffed it all back in, and the AC works, so I assume the wires weren't broken.... I guess I was lucky....
As for the sensor, the AC works fine, so I think it's ok. I recall that the sensor was pulled out of its little hole, and the white rubber was broken apart with the wires going whichever way. I stuffed it all back in, and the AC works, so I assume the wires weren't broken.... I guess I was lucky....
