Pauld363

So my 03 Sl500 top opened and closed several times perfectly. Was on an angle tried to close it, all operations worked except it would not latch. It was about an inch high. it retracted back perfect. Tried a couple times level same thing. Tried again, perfect. Boot flaps all nice and tight, no oil leaks nothing obvious. Worried about the operation now. Anybody have similar issue and or an idea of the problem and fix?

Rudeney

Here's a good diagnostic aid that might help:

http://benzbits.com/r230/Roof/VarioR...gnosticAid.pdf

I doubt it has anything to do with an incline. Most likely you have a weak hydraulic cylinder in the system.

Pauld363

Thanks for the info. Taking it to my indy for oil this week and will see what they come up with on a diagnostic test and will post it. Other responses welcome. Paul.

groves73

i put my top up in a parking garage on an incline so the car not level side to side. it bent the black guide pins on the corners of the top by the windshield. check them out

Rudeney

Strange. I have a SmartTop module so I put my up and down all the time while driving on various road conditions and at various angles. I've never had an issue like that.

Vendetta

SmartTop for the freaking win. Was my first and and might end up my only mod. Should be standard equipment on these cars.

Since you mentioned actuating the top while in motion, what speed did you set as the allowable limit? I like the idea of being able to raise and lower the roof while driving, and it looks bad to the bone doing it, but I can't help but think that doing it above 10mph and on anything other than flat flawless pavement is an invitation for disaster.

-V

Rudeney

I set mine to max (about 38mph), but I have a weak cylinder on the lid, so due to wind resistance, it won't close it above about 25mph. BTW, there are some new features coming in a future software release. There are some features beyond the top control, like one-touch operation of power seat memory, ability to set a comfort entry/exit feature with seat memory, and few other things.

Vendetta

You're a braver man than I am.

Nice! Good info. Are you involved in the product's development? How will owners get informed of the update's availability?

-V

Rudeney

No, I'm not involved with them at all. I know they do update the software periodically, and a few times when I've reported problems, they have given me a beta test version to download. When the rear lid was not closing, I checked the website and found documentation posted for a new beta version. I originally contacted them for support on the lid not closing, and they helped me determine it was my cylinder, not the SmartTop. I then asked for the beta and got it. It has some issues (mainly in the seat memory portion), but I haven't had time to do a remote support session for them to look into.

Pauld363

Well, good news for me. My awesome honest indy scanned for error codes and found none. Told me these tops can be a little sticky now and then in the hinge and latch apparatuses. He lubed up the linkages, latches and good to go. Worked perfect for them when i brought it as well. May have just been an isolated incident, i hope. Will update this with any changes. Thanks and a great resource this forum is.

Heatwave

I'm sure the Smart Top product is a high quality item, but still ... I've had convertibles for a half-century and I've never opened or closed a top while the car was moving. I've generated many disasters in my time, but I've never risked a convertible top. And about lubricating the hinges and linkages: I use ATM fluid as a lubricant ... apply it with a dental hygiene irrigation pick ... the pick's narrow "spout" makes it easy to place a drop of fluid exactly where I want it, without risking over doing it. FWIW.

Rudeney

Even without opening or closing in motion, the SmartTop has other great features. My favorite is the ability to open or close the top with one tap of the button, and then walk away from the car. So, when you park and want to raise the top, instead of having to sit there with your finger on the button, you can give the switch a tap, get out, lock, the door and walk away as the cycle completes. I rarely open or close the top at any speed, but I might be sitting a light and decide to open or close, and then not have to worry about annoying the guys behind me if the light changes because I can go ahead and start rolling. It's not such a big deal on the SL, but in my CLK which took almost 30 seconds to cycle, it was a huge benefit.