SL/R230: Infamous hard top problem
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2003 SL599
Infamous hard top problem
Hello everyone. Newbie here, I have an 03 SL500 and one day I heard a pop on the passenger side and whammy, the top quit working. I had to manually put it back up. I removed all of the truck panels as well as the headliner, checked everything that I was able to research on line etc... and nothing. Hit the switch and I get the visit workshop message. Is there a way to find out the error so I will know what needs replacing
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From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
Just a guess, but you might have blown a fuse. Check all of the fuses in the rear passenger compartment, there are 5 or 6 which will keep the top from working. Does the roll bar go up and down? Do your door locks work? Do your rear windows operate with the window switches? Were you lowering the top when this happened, or just driving? The top can be difficult to diagnose without being able to see codes and prox switch positions with a scan tool, but there are some simple things to check.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 28
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2003 SL599
Happened while driving with top up. Went through all 3 fuse panels. Reservoir is full of oil. No leaks anywhere. Switch light works, all door locks, windows work. Roll bar does not work either bypassed the cargo cover switch etc... pump works
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 366
From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
Is the roll bar up or down? Is it possible that the roll bar auto deployed? Rear windows are controlled by roof module, so the module has power and is at least partly functional. Locks are controlled by the PSE pump which is also required for roof operation. When you say that the pump works, are you talking about the hydraulic pump for the roof or the PSE pump for the locks? You should consider buying a STAR system or at least a Foxwell NT510 Elite for Mercedes. Since you have the warning on the dash, you will have a code stored which will make diagnosis way easier.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2021
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2003 SL599
Roll bar is in the down position. Pump in the Trunk works when I bridge the top of the relay. The pump for the ABC works as well. What I did notice, and this may be normal is the cables for the front latches have slack in them. But I checked them and they are not broken. The two limit switches are also clicking as they should when depressed. I was thinking of buying a scanner for the car but really do not want to spend a fortune for one. We had an SLK for several years and never had any problems with it so the thought of buying a scanner was never even considered. With this SL, I think it would be a necessity
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 366
From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
A couple of possibilities are implausible switch positions, like the roof open and roof closed switch both recognized, and the pump not available because of a bad temp sensor or some other reason. The roof control will disable the roll bar if the roof is 'in operation' meaning between closed and open or in some implausible status. You can pick up a Foxwell for $135, so it would pay for itself quickly. I use a STAR system, but the Foxwell will do enough to diagnose pretty much every issue you will run into.
