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 09-16-2019, 03:56 PM
  #1  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Too many cars's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
Old 09-16-2019, 05:14 PM
  #2  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Too many cars's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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?
Old 09-16-2019, 05:47 PM
  #3  
Banned
 
bobterry99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Atlanta, unfortunately
Posts: 1,982
Received 388 Likes on 307 Posts
'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.
Old 09-16-2019, 06:03 PM
  #4  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Too many cars's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
Old 09-16-2019, 06:57 PM
  #5  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Too many cars's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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..
Old 09-16-2019, 07:48 PM
  #6  
Member
 
850csi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 172
Received 17 Likes on 14 Posts
--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.
Old 09-16-2019, 08:14 PM
  #7  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Too many cars's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
Old 09-19-2019, 10:30 AM
  #8  
MBworld Guru
 
Rudeney's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Received 1,004 Likes on 872 Posts
NO LONGER ACTIVE
Did you check the fluid level?
Old 09-19-2019, 10:52 AM
  #9  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Too many cars's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2005 SL-500
Hello Rudeney, Fluid level is good and no leaks.
Old 09-19-2019, 11:40 AM
  #10  
Banned
 
bobterry99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Atlanta, unfortunately
Posts: 1,982
Received 388 Likes on 307 Posts
'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.
The following users liked this post:
Rudeney (09-20-2019)
Old 09-19-2019, 11:54 AM
  #11  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Too many cars's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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?
Old 09-19-2019, 03:01 PM
  #12  
Banned
 
bobterry99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Atlanta, unfortunately
Posts: 1,982
Received 388 Likes on 307 Posts
'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.
Old 09-21-2019, 02:58 AM
  #13  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Frederick NL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 1,357
Received 223 Likes on 191 Posts
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; 09-21-2019 at 03:09 AM.

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


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

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



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:00 PM.