SL/R230 Help! Problems with Convertible Top...

Jul 16, 2007 | 02:49 PM

jd985krz

Thread Starter

Newbie

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 1

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Help! Problems with Convertible Top...

My 2003 SL 500...
I put my top down the other night.. It got down maybe 90% and it stopped. I got a red light that said visit workshop.. It totally lost power, wont go up or down..

I figured maybe shutting off and starting the car would help it but now
It keeps saying "in operation" but nothing is happening... I dont hear any noise when im pulling or pushing the convertible lever.......

Any help would be great..

Jul 16, 2007 | 11:10 PM

djamer

Super Member

Joined: Jun 2002

Posts: 828

Likes: 1

From: Northern VA

SL 500

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd985krz

JD.

Refer to this link:

http://www4.mercedes-benz.com/e/cars...60.html#N21BB8

review the troubleshooting for Roof operation. May require you to call your dealer and let them look at it.

Jul 17, 2007 | 03:17 AM

bobterry99

Banned

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 1,982

Likes: 393

From: Atlanta, unfortunately

'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd985krz

My 2003 SL 500...
It got down maybe 90% and it stopped. I got a red light that said visit workshop.. It totally lost power, wont go up or down..

This could be a stuck microswitch. The ones that detect the position of the folding flaps and the ones that detect the trunk lid assembly latches can cause the mechanism to freeze and become inoperable as you describe.

You can diagnose this yourself with a basic electronic multimeter by checking the inputs to the top controller; or if you have the proper scanner, you can read diagnostics. If you take the car to a dealer or well-equiped independent, they should be able to diagnose the problem quickly and easily.

Jul 17, 2007 | 03:31 AM

ToughSuccess

Junior Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 55

Likes: 0

From: SF / LA

2006 Mercedes Benz SL55 AMG

I had the same issue, make sure to visit the dealership asap and I pray for you the car is under warranty.

Jul 17, 2007 | 05:10 AM

mjr24

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 1,141

Likes: 30

From: Texas

M6 Gran Coupe

How about being a little more specific....you said you had the same problem. So what WAS the problem and what did it cost?

Jul 17, 2007 | 01:22 PM

djamer

Super Member

Joined: Jun 2002

Posts: 828

Likes: 1

From: Northern VA

SL 500

without a warranty, the hardtop hydraulic pump runs around $3500 with labor, from speaking to a service advisor. hopefully it's not the pump and some switch issue. good luck.

Jul 17, 2007 | 03:29 PM

ToughSuccess

Junior Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 55

Likes: 0

From: SF / LA

2006 Mercedes Benz SL55 AMG

The problem was the top wouldnt go up or down because the one of the wiring harnesses were not relaying information to the top to open and close and it didn't cost a penny because my car is under warranty. Otherwise the invoice that I recieved showing the cost of all the work done with parts and labor show a $3,200 bill.

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Jul 20, 2007 | 08:38 AM

allminesl550

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Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 144

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Quote:

Originally Posted by jd985krz

Somewhere at that link posted by Djamer there is a section called "Lowering the loading aid manually". It describes what to do if, for instance, your folding roof is folded in the boot and you went back there and hit the button to raise the roof a few inches to access the trunk space, then hit the button again to lower the roof in but it didnt come down properly.
Now i realize your problem is not exactly the same, but nevertheless (if you have no warranty/$$) it may be possible to temporarily solve your problem by following the same or similar simple proceedure, which amounts to turning some allen screw one quarter turn ccwise while your friend holds and supports the roof while hopefully it comes down completely. Then turn the screw back to original position, of course. The screw is located under the boot floor to the left.

http://www4.mercedes-benz.com/e/cars...E1.html#N226BF

Last edited by allminesl550; Jul 20, 2007 at 08:42 AM.

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Jul 20, 2007 | 09:01 AM

mjr24

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 1,141

Likes: 30

From: Texas

M6 Gran Coupe

I'm taking it to my Benz mechanic. I strongly advise against temporarily rigging something or screwing with something on a $100k car-especially as delicate as a convertible top.

Nov 10, 2013 | 04:07 PM

#10

samplelogistics

Newbie

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 6

Likes: 0

03 sl55 amg

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd985krz

you have two flaps one on each side of the underside of your trunk lid these flaps are called elephant ears, they move In and out during the operation of the top. If one of the flaps is not fully engaged the top will not open or closed and it will seem like it has no power. this has happened on my SL 55 I took it to a certified Mercedes mechanic and it cost around $650 to fix most likely this is your problem.