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

SL/R230: 2005 Sl-500 Roof won't open

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Sep 16, 2019 | 03:56 PM
  #1  
Too many cars's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
2005 SL-500
2005 Sl-500 Roof won't open

Hi I'm new here. I purchased a 2005 SL-500 last year and the top lock cylinder went bad. I sent the car to a local shop that was recommended and had the cylinder replaced. When I picked up the car the roof did open however much slower then in the past. Since everything worked other than the top locking cylinder when I dropped it off I thought there may have been some air in the system and cycling it a few times would cure it. To my surprise when I got home nothing works including the roll bar. When I try to open it, the rear windows crack open, I hear the pump but nothing else happens. I'm thinking it's a micro switch that they messed up. My local guy cleared all the codes so I can't see if there is a fault or not. I cycled it until it timed out and still no new codes. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2019 | 05:14 PM
  #2  
Too many cars's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
2005 SL-500
Originally Posted by Too many cars
Hi I'm new here. I purchased a 2005 SL-500 last year and the top lock cylinder went bad. I sent the car to a local shop that was recommended and had the cylinder replaced. When I picked up the car the roof did open however much slower then in the past. Since everything worked other than the top locking cylinder when I dropped it off I thought there may have been some air in the system and cycling it a few times would cure it. To my surprise when I got home nothing works including the roll bar. When I try to open it, the rear windows crack open, I hear the pump but nothing else happens. I'm thinking it's a micro switch that they messed up. My local guy cleared all the codes so I can't see if there is a fault or not. I cycled it until it timed out and still no new codes. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I wanted to add I did print out the vario roof diagnostic aid pdf but without any DTC codes I'm not sure how to move forward. Is there anyway to reset the whole system?
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2019 | 05:47 PM
  #3  
bobterry99's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 393
From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
Originally Posted by Too many cars
Is there anyway to reset the whole system?
There is no reset per se. But you can achieve what I presume you want to do by having the top completely open or closed and rebooting the roof controller software by disconnecting the rear battery for a few seconds.

I'd check the level of fluid in the roof pump reservoir. If that's fine, then next I would check to see if the system is losing hydraulic pressure due to a faulty cylinder. I've described the procedure for that several times and will look for a link.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2019 | 06:03 PM
  #4  
Too many cars's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
2005 SL-500
Thank you for the info. I'll try disconnecting the battery. Fluid is good, not loosing any but I do know the pump is week. That being said everything was working prior to him replacing the one piston.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2019 | 06:57 PM
  #5  
Too many cars's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
2005 SL-500
Disconnecting the rear battery didn't do anything. I also noticed that when I try to open the top I do not get the "top in operation" icon on the dash..
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2019 | 07:48 PM
  #6  
850csi's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 172
Likes: 17
--sold Sl55--
One possibility, as others have noted on here, is that replacing one cylinder could very well leads to leaks in other vulnerable cylinders given the higher pressure in the system. Just happened to me -- I replaced tubular frame cylinders and all of a sudden got a massive leak from my front locking cylinder.

I would make sure you're not losing fluid somewhere.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2019 | 08:14 PM
  #7  
Too many cars's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
2005 SL-500
Not loosing any fluid, it's really not doing anything. I hear the pump running but nothing else happens, no movement, no "roof in operation" icon. Roll bar went up half way and stopped but was working perfectly prior. Got it to go down but heard a "pop" on the driver side when it did go down. Trying to add anything that might help.
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2019 | 10:30 AM
  #8  
Rudeney's Avatar
MBworld Guru
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
Did you check the fluid level?
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 19, 2019 | 10:52 AM
  #9  
Too many cars's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
2005 SL-500
Hello Rudeney, Fluid level is good and no leaks.
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2019 | 11:40 AM
  #10  
bobterry99's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 393
From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
If the pump is running and nothing moves, then either the hydraulic system main valve has failed to open, or an hydraulic cylinder has an internal leak. The following procedure will check several cylinders for such a leak.

Have the roof closed and the trunk lid open. Use a screwdriver to close the latch on the trunk lid so that the roof controller does not recognize the trunk lid is open. Locate the roof pump and valve block assembly in the left side of the trunk, and note that two retaining plates secure the numbered hydraulic lines to the block. Remove lines 30, 32, 33, and 34 and put their ends in some sort of container to catch any fluid which might emerge.

Have someone activate the roof control switch while you watch for fluid coming out of the disconnected lines and valve block. There should be very little or no fluid seen at all. Significant fluid from line 30 indicates a leaky front lock cylinder, 32 a leaky tubular frame cylinder, 33 a leaky left tubular frame lock, and 34 a leaky right tubular frame lock. Significant fluid from any of the exposed ports on the valve block suggest it is faulty.
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2019 | 11:54 AM
  #11  
Too many cars's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
2005 SL-500
Thank you for the follow up bobterry99, I'll test it when I can find some time. Would this cause the "top in operation" on the dash to not show?
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2019 | 03:01 PM
  #12  
bobterry99's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 393
From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
Originally Posted by Too many cars
Would this cause the "top in operation" on the dash to not show?
Not likely, in my opinion. It seems to me it would have to be a really serious internal leak.
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2019 | 02:58 AM
  #13  
Frederick NL's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,442
Likes: 260
From: Netherlands
2005 R 230 SL350 (M112 3.7). Sold the 1966 W113 230SL recently
Did you check the bypass valve on the pump? Hex key. I’m sure someone can give it’s torque spec.


Last edited by Frederick NL; Sep 21, 2019 at 03:09 AM.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:40 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE