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Bought a 99 SL 500 on Sunday. I confirmed the top worked and owner had a shop rebuild the cylinders a few months ago. He didn’t use the hardtop but I had to put it on to drive it home. We had a little difficulty getting all corners to fully latch in, but I took it to a mechanic today to get other service done and he managed to get the hardtop fully on. However, now the light is flashing and the warning chimes when I drive off. It seems I can’t actually get the hardtop off now as the mechanism won’t pop it out. However, when I was buying the car, it worked.
Any thoughts on why it’s reading an error and not working? The mechanic admitted he’s not a convertible top expert and so he couldn’t help.
I don’t plan on using the hard top, so I want it off and the soft top mechanism to work again…
Last edited by sirshocked; Apr 30, 2025 at 03:33 PM.
Probably one or more of the hardtop locks is not latched properly and therefore the MIL and chime are on. You can open them manually (see owner's manual) and then lift the top off. In case you still need to reset the locks, try push the open button until you hear a very faint click (after a minute or so). Good luck and congratulations - nice looking SL and lovely colour combo!
Probably one or more of the hardtop locks is not latched properly and therefore the MIL and chime are on. You can open them manually (see owner's manual) and then lift the top off. In case you still need to reset the locks, try push the open button until you hear a very faint click (after a minute or so). Good luck and congratulations - nice looking SL and lovely colour combo!
Thanks for the suggestion. Turns out the locking cylinders need to be rebuilt so it was throwing an error because the hardtop wasn’t fully latched. If you take the hardtop off and cycle the car a few times the error clears. I don’t plan on using the hardtop at all and since the soft top works I am going to leave it for now.
Congrats on the car and great color! Good to see you got the issue sorted out. In case you haven't already, I'd suggest getting the top hydraulics and other top related bits rebuilt by Top Hydraulics in Oregon. They are the most well versed in the R129 when it comes to the convertible mechanism and have not had any reported failures.
Congrats on the car and great color! Good to see you got the issue sorted out. In case you haven't already, I'd suggest getting the top hydraulics and other top related bits rebuilt by Top Hydraulics in Oregon. They are the most well versed in the R129 when it comes to the convertible mechanism and have not had any reported failures.
Thanks, that is the plan. I’m mildly handy but that seems in line with the skill level involved to remove and replace the cylinders.
now, does anyone know how to get hydraulic fluid stains out of the top…
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