FirstBenz@62

I have a 2007 SL550 and the roof suddenly will not retract. Nothing happens when the lever is moved. No error msg or trunk ajar msg. Have read that this may be caused by not having enought charge in the battery. Anyone experience this? Hope it is just the battery. If so which battery would be affected?

Stoofpilot

Trunk battery. Front is only for starting. There is usually a fuse chart in the repair kit in the spare tire well. Make sure you check fuses.

FirstBenz@62

Thanks, was going to take it in Monday but just thought I would take a chance here. Is there a way to identify the correct fuse? Maybe in the manual?

By the way I was in a USMC aviation wing and naval aviators are the best. Takes ***** to land on a carrier.

FirstBenz@62

Whoops, just found the chart and "vario roof" has 6 fuses - 38, 62, 63, 69,73,74. Thanks

FirstBenz@62

Have just learned that my problem might be with a limit switch that is common with the sl550. Hope so as my previous automobile was a 2006 Lexus ls430ul that had no problems whatsoever.

Kinda gun shy about the sl550 after reading about the various problems. However, driving the sl550 is so superior to driving the ls430 that I bought a warranty to protect me for five more years.

Stoofpilot

Do you have any warranty left on the car? If not, think about an after market extended warranty. My top hydraulic pump failed and it cost $1,700.00 plus labor. I became a believer fast in getting a warranty.

What type of MAG were. You in? Fixed wing or Helo?

Thanks for serving.

FirstBenz@62

Yep I hear you. Got a 5 yr/40k extended warranty.

Fixed wing Vmf-351 F8's Reserve Unit at NAS Atlanta during Vietnam era. SGT as Operations Clerk so hung out around the ready room a lot. Got to sit in the back seat of a T-22 trainer over the Chocolate mtns while stationed at Yuma. We did training against AF in Fla panhandle in Panama City. Our guys won dog fights by pulling G's in their F8's. The guys that couldn't lost.

Stoofpilot

Check as many of the fuses as you can. My cigarette lighter power recepticle was not poering my radar detector and it was a fuse.

F-8's were a true fighter pilots aircraft! It also killed many a Naval Aviator because it had such a high landing speed that when bringing it aboard the carrier, one small mistake caused a ramp strike on the fantail. Mine landed at 95 knots so it was slow enough to correct my mistakes like being too low on final.

FirstBenz@62

Just took it in today. Want to enjoy this great weather with the top down.

The roll bar still went up and down so they think it may be something minor like a switch and not the hydraulics. I'll let everyone know what they find out.

Any fluid leaks or fluid smell or warning lights when your top failed?

My guy says the tops are so reliable that Lexus bought it from MB for the SC430's.


I know the guys would get real nervous when they had to re-qualify for carrier landings. Had no idea that was the reason why. Pulled landing gear check duty one time and had to flash the lights when I didn't see the gear coming down. Got a bottle of scotch from the pilot who had just transitioned from helos.

FirstBenz@62

Well it looks like the problem is with the two "bat wing" motors and may not be covered by the warranty because it is not hydraulics which I find odd. Also, I may have a dampner? problem that causes an unique noise at low speed (15 mph) that some describe as a humm.

They are going to work on it tomorrow as they took me today without an appointment thinking it might be minor. Called local MB dealer who estimated changinng out the motors would be $550. Hopefully will get both problems fixed under warranty for the $200 deductable.

Stoofpilot

Are you talking about the two flaps inside the trunk on the trunk lid? If so, I knew they had problems with the gear cylinders breaking causing the flaps to hang down. MB designed a heavy duty version. I do not know what the motors are.

FirstBenz@62

Yep, I think that is what they described. The flaps are not in the correct position so the roof will not retract. So it could be the gear cylinders. Where did you find out about them having problems?

FirstBenz@62

I think I found it.

https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...y-fix-diy.html

Stoofpilot

There are many posts about it. I believe one guy taped them flat so that the top would close until he got them fixed. Don't let them replace more than needed.

FirstBenz@62

Got my flaps fixed and the top once again retracts nicely.

Total cost $334.00 and NOT covered by extended warranty as was termed a "wear" item.

Stoofpilot

Who is your extended warranty company. Not sure that I would call it a wear item! Hope you have a nice top down day.

FirstBenz@62

Warrantech Automotive, Preferred coverage.

I have seen where this is denied on most warranties because there has been a "repair kit" issued by MB. Problem is known and goes back to 2003.

Rick SL55

this shop repairs top hydraulics:

www.tophydraulicsinc.com/en/21-r230-sl