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

SL/R230: Roll Bar is down, but cluster shows it as Up

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Old Apr 2, 2024 | 11:12 PM
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Roll Bar is down, but cluster shows it as Up

Hi all Mercedes Enthusiasts,
I am new to this forum and reaching out from Perth, Western Australia.

I have an issue with my Roll Bar. I went over a curb a bit too fast, which deployed the Roll Bar. It went down OK using the console buttons.
The following day, I had a warning icon on my cluster indicating that the SL thought the Roll Bar was up. I followed the Roll Bar Reset sequence, which involved pressing in the roll bar's locks with a screwdriver and pushing down firmly on the roll bar. Multiple attempts yielded no gains at all. The roll bar did not move down any further and the warning cluster icon remained.

My top is up, so difficult to work on the roll bar, and because the SL thinks the roll bar is Up, the hydraulics are disabled. Pressing the roll bar's up button yields no response at all. The roof pump does not power up. The pump is OK, as It runs if I jump the relay, but it is not receiving any signal from the controller thinks it is already up.
Can anyone tell me where the limit switches for the roll bar are?

I don't have a scanner of any real substance so cannot run roof or roll bar diagnostic to see the issue.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Regards
Jeff in Perth, Western Australia
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Old Apr 3, 2024 | 03:19 PM
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I don't think that there was ever a roll bar up indicator, I believe that you are seeing a roll bar malfunction light. I'm guessing that the deployment damaged something and you should start by reading the codes in the RVC module. It might be reading up and down at the same time (implausible condition) or something like that. Limit switch is under the quarter panel trim on the right side.
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Old Apr 3, 2024 | 10:02 PM
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Thanks Mike,
Super helpful information. I have the SL booked in for a scan on Friday, so will pass on your suggestion to my mechanic.
I am still unclear why a Roll Bar malfunction would cause the roof hydraulics to go inactive.
Any thoughts?

regards
jeff
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Old Apr 3, 2024 | 10:12 PM
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Normally a roll bar deployment and reset should not be an issue. However, the deployment is fairly violent and could maybe crack a plastic switch or something. The roll bar must be down for the roof to function. More specifically, the roof control must see that the roof is down in order to raise or lower the roof. If the down switch is not recognized or if both up and down switches are recognized, the roof will not operate.
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Old Apr 6, 2024 | 12:54 PM
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"More specifically, the roof control must see that the roof is down"
Mike meant "that the roll bar is down".
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Old Apr 6, 2024 | 06:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Frederick NL
"More specifically, the roof control must see that the roof is down"
Mike meant "that the roll bar is down".
Yes, thank you for clarifying.
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