SL-Class (R230) 2003 -- 2012: Discussion on the SL500, SL550, SL600

SL/R230: Just got a 2004 SL500 - some strange noises

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Old Nov 22, 2014 | 04:30 PM
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alankcars's Avatar
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2004 SL-500
Just got a 2004 SL500 - some strange noises

Hi everyone,

I am a happy owner of a 2004 SL-500 and love it so far. This is the coolest car I have owned. I could hardly believe I could get this beauty for the price.

I do have two electronic noises coming from the back I want to ask about. The first is heard only when the engine is running. It sounds like a hiss or droning sound from the back speakers under the rollbar. The tone/frequency of the sound doesn't change with the engine speed.

The second sound is a thumping sound from the driver's side in the trunk. I believe it is the motor that raises and lowers the roof. When I have the driver's door open or have the key in the ignition, I hear the thumping. When I start the engine, it does away.

Any idea what these two sounds are? They are pretty annoying.

Thanks and regards,

Alan
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Old Nov 28, 2014 | 08:01 AM
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2004 SL-500
bump. No ideas?
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Old Dec 2, 2014 | 10:51 PM
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I had the thump and found that the stop for the roof when it was put up had not hit the sensor so I opened the roof and then closed it and the problem went away. But it had been cycling and trying to close more. This also happened when the wife put her iPad or cell phone on top of the switch... lol. I never figured out if it was a sensor but the switch was pushed down on a couple of occasions making it thump. Also if you have a trunk partition, open the trunk and make sure that it is locking in place.

On another note you could also be hearing the trunk cycling into closed position. So if you haven't checked the trunk then I've had it stick in the closing cycle also on a 2010 SL550. It just kept closing and not quite locking. I think I found a jacket sleeve was sticking over the edge a bit by the lock.

Last edited by Reed Lukens; Dec 2, 2014 at 11:00 PM.
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