SL/R231: Preventive Maintenance Recommendations
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 44
Likes: 10
'13 SL63, '06 SL600, '98 S600
MB had it in their shop 3 times. Said they could not duplicate the problem and never mentioned a code to be. On occasions, when I try to put the top down, the message "vario roof operation" pops up but the roof does not move. Sometimes I can hear a mechanical "clunk" from the trunk area but still no movement. It I lift the top-down switch (to open), then press the top-down switch (to close) then lift it a second time, the roof may go down. As I said in my original post, the best way to fix it is to exit the car, manually open the trunk, cycle the luggage cover and close the trunk manually. At that point, the top-down works normally while seated in the car. The top will then function properly for weeks, sometimes a month, but the failure to open problem always eventually returns. It's one of those intermittent things that is so hard to diagnose unless it fails while at the dealership.
Next time it happens to you, check to see if one window is not rolling down as it should. I suspect that your second pull at the roof open switch is what’s causing the roof to continue its operation, not opening the door or re-seating the luggage cover.
Last edited by althethird; Sep 25, 2021 at 01:45 AM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 380
Likes: 100
From: Orlando, FL
2017 550SL - 2018 560S
Sorry for the late reply, but I have experienced the intermittent vario roof message as well and it’s not related to the microswitch for the luggage cover. From what I noticed, both driver and passenger windows are supposed to roll down as the vario roof is opening. I believe there is a sensor that detects whether all 4 windows are rolling down as the vario roof is opening. If the sensor detects that one of your windows is not rolling down as it should after a couple of seconds, then the roof will display the “vario roof operation” message. Occasionally, my driver’s window will not roll down at the same time as my rear quarter panels and passenger window are which triggers the message but it happens very infrequently (and I do not have any issues with operation of the windows using the switches) that I have not brought the car to the dealer to diagnose. This has been the cause of my message every time I get it, but a second pull of the roof switch will usually result in the driver’s window rolling down as it should and the vario roof continuing its operation.
Next time it happens to you, check to see if one window is not rolling down as it should. I suspect that your second pull at the roof open switch is what’s causing the roof to continue its operation, not opening the door or re-seating the luggage cover.
Next time it happens to you, check to see if one window is not rolling down as it should. I suspect that your second pull at the roof open switch is what’s causing the roof to continue its operation, not opening the door or re-seating the luggage cover.
Thank you for that detailed response. I think I may have been experiencing that exact same issue. I do recall the windows operating in the manner you described. I'll specifically look for that during operation now.
Member
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 140
Likes: 68
R231 SL63 & R129 SL500
Interesting, it seems a simplified version of the 2013 booklet - https://www.mercedesbenzraleigh.com/...ce_Booklet.pdf
In particular, relevant to the other discussion on automatic transmission fluid changes, those intervals seem to have been brought forward by 1 year or 10,000 miles for both AMG and non-AMG SLs. Curious.
In particular, relevant to the other discussion on automatic transmission fluid changes, those intervals seem to have been brought forward by 1 year or 10,000 miles for both AMG and non-AMG SLs. Curious.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 380
Likes: 100
From: Orlando, FL
2017 550SL - 2018 560S
Interesting, it seems a simplified version of the 2013 booklet - https://www.mercedesbenzraleigh.com/...ce_Booklet.pdf
In particular, relevant to the other discussion on automatic transmission fluid changes, those intervals seem to have been brought forward by 1 year or 10,000 miles for both AMG and non-AMG SLs. Curious.
In particular, relevant to the other discussion on automatic transmission fluid changes, those intervals seem to have been brought forward by 1 year or 10,000 miles for both AMG and non-AMG SLs. Curious.
Thank you for posting this
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,499
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
