On my 2003 SL500, when I operate the switch to lower the top, all that happens is the windows start to operate for a second and when I release the switch it reverses and nothing happens! The fluid appears to be at the proper level. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

I may have run into something similar on my SLK-320 R170. Around 140,000 miles, the lock releases began to stick, and wouldn’t open unless I banged the area of the lock releases. It worked for awhile, until one day the overhead liner drooped down, because the liner laminate was crumbling from repeated abuse.

 

Just out of curiosity, have you checked the battery located in the trunk? This battery is responsible for all the electronics and I have had this battery be weak, and similar issues were occurring. Good luck!

 

It sounds like this car might be new to you, so you do know that you need to hold the switch up for the full duration of the opening cycle? If you are doing that and it just drops the windows and does nothing:

1) Is the switch flashing red when this happens?
2) Have you tried raising or lowering the roll bar?
3) Are the flaps on the trunk lid tight against the lid?
4) Can you hear the pump running?