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I just went in the garage to hook up a battery tender on our 2014 SL550. When I hit the button to close the trunk lid it goes down about two inches, stops then opens back up. Any suggestions on what is wrong, and how to correct it?
Last edited by Sunbeltgolfer11; Sep 12, 2023 at 07:35 AM.
I just went in the garage to hook up a battery tender on our 2014 SL550. When I hit the button to close the trunk lid it goes down about two inches, stops then opens back up. Any suggestions on what is wrong, and how to correct it?
Just a thought,
If you’re too close to the trunk with the key in your pocket, sometimes the car believes the key is in the trunk.
The R231 has built in safeguards so you can’t lock your key in the trunk by accident. It behaves exactly as you’re describing.
Try standing away from the car and using the remote to close the trunk to see if that helps.
Last edited by crconsulting; Jul 25, 2023 at 05:21 PM.
After looking around and moving the deck lid up and down I heard something fall into the trunk. A plastic piece that is attached to one of the struts has broken and it was causing.the mechanism to bind and stop.
Sorry for the delay. We finally got the parts and I was reluctant to open the trunk until I had them. The plastic piece is like a bushing and apparently wore out from years of oepning/closing the trunk and using the vario roof. Very easy to replace these and only took a few minutes. The strut that had the problem is the one at my finger.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
The piece you are pointing to has also come off of mine (passenger side) and won't stay on. So, I just added a zip tie to keep the strut from ever coming off the pin it slides over. However, in my case, it never interfered with the operation of the trunk lid.
$25 is crazy for that little specialized clip/bushing/retainer!
Last edited by JettaRed; Sep 23, 2023 at 08:21 AM.
The piece you are pointing to has also come off of mine (passenger side) and won't stay on. So, I just added a zip tie to keep the strut from ever coming off the pin it slides over. However, in my case, it never interfered with the operation of the trunk lid.
$25 is crazy for that little specialized clip/bushing/retainer!
The $25 was for four of the bushings. I went ahead and purchased enough to do the top and bottom of both struts in case the others start to fail.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by Sunbeltgolfer11
The $25 was for four of the bushings. I went ahead and purchased enough to do the top and bottom of both struts in case the others start to fail.
Understood. This is what I had to do because the new part wouldn't stay in place. I should try to find the part somewhere in the trunk (if I can) and trim it to act as a bushing, or find something to fill the gap between the strut and the mounting post/pin.
Last edited by JettaRed; Sep 23, 2023 at 10:23 AM.
Understood. This is what I had to do because the new part wouldn't stay in place. I should try to find the part somewhere in the trunk (if I can) and trim it to act as a bushing, or find something to fill the gap between the strut and the mounting post/pin.
Interesting that a new piece didn't solve your problem. So far, it has for ours, but, it's only had the trunk opened a few times and we haven't used the vario roof since it was replaced. The new piece was a very snug fit when installing. After doing the repair I can see why thye wear out. There really isn't a notch, or any other feature to keep the bushing in place, so it makes sense that it would have issues with repeated use. I'm surprised the original has lasted as long as it has.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by Sunbeltgolfer11
Interesting that a new piece didn't solve your problem. So far, it has for ours, but, it's only had the trunk opened a few times and we haven't used the vario roof since it was replaced. The new piece was a very snug fit when installing. After doing the repair I can see why thye wear out. There really isn't a notch, or any other feature to keep the bushing in place, so it makes sense that it would have issues with repeated use. I'm surprised the original has lasted as long as it has.
The problem is that it doesn't stay on. There is a groove in the post that the "claw" should grab, but there must be other pressure to cause it to pop off. I do use my Vario roof when I can in dry weather when the temps are in the 78 to 85 degree range. And I use the trunk all the time. The car is my daily driver, but I'm retired and don't put a lot of miles on it.
On a side note, has anyone else noticed that there seems to be more angry and aggressive drivers these days? It seems like the whole world is becoming an unfriendly place. I think people are finding that no matter how much the government says things are better, they really aren't better at all and people are acting on their frustrations. (This is NOT a political statement or question. I'm just wondering if it's other people or just me.)
The problem is that it doesn't stay on. There is a groove in the post that the "claw" should grab, but there must be other pressure to cause it to pop off. I do use my Vario roof when I can in dry weather when the temps are in the 78 to 85 degree range. And I use the trunk all the time. The car is my daily driver, but I'm retired and don't put a lot of miles on it.
On a side note, has anyone else noticed that there seems to be more angry and aggressive drivers these days? It seems like the whole world is becoming an unfriendly place. I think people are finding that no matter how much the government says things are better, they really aren't better at all and people are acting on their frustrations. (This is NOT a political statement or question. I'm just wondering if it's other people or just me.)
I will watch and see if this one starts creeping out of place. We don't use the car frequently and only on nice weather days. Our weather has been in Fall mode for a while so we have to drive a little to have temps warm enough to drop the top.
In regard to drivers, it's horrible here. Aggressive, distracted, angry drivers are the norm. This is a small resort area in the mountains. Every time we leave the house you must be alert and prepared for someone going the opposite direction to be in your lane on blind curves, tailgating when there is nowhere for you to go because traffic is jammed up, and driving like they have lost their minds. I can't count how many times we are run off the road by someone using a phone when they go by. Seems driving is way down the list of priorities for a lot of people while they're behind the wheel.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by Sunbeltgolfer11
In regard to drivers, it's horrible here. Aggressive, distracted, angry drivers are the norm. This is a small resort area in the mountains. Every time we leave the house you must be alert and prepared for someone going the opposite direction to be in your lane on blind curves, tailgating when there is nowhere for you to go because traffic is jammed up, and driving like they have lost their minds. I can't count how many times we are run off the road by someone using a phone when they go by. Seems driving is way down the list of priorities for a lot of people while they're behind the wheel.
Same here! Something else to blame COVID for!
In all seriousness, there is a major Interstate (I-70) that passes within a couple miles of my house. Lately, there is a road-closing accident every couple of days is the same general area. Sometimes fatalities. I can always tell because there is a minor highway (US-40) that passes next to my house and all the traffic gets diverted to it, making leaving my neighborhood a challenge. Some days, I think it's the end of the world.
Last edited by JettaRed; Sep 23, 2023 at 12:00 PM.
I have said the same for some time now. Each day on the highway I find myself making it a point to get away from people, because I don’t want their bad juju coming over toward me. Be it slowing down, moving over, or dropping a gear and leaving them in the dust. To me people just do not look happy. Well, the ones that give me a thumbs up and a smile while looking at black beauty look happy. lol
Originally Posted by JettaRed
On a side note, has anyone else noticed that there seems to be more angry and aggressive drivers these days? It seems like the whole world is becoming an unfriendly place. I think people are finding that no matter how much the government says things are better, they really aren't better at all and people are acting on their frustrations. (This is NOT a political statement or question. I'm just wondering if it's other people or just me.)
Last edited by ThatsMyDawg; Sep 25, 2023 at 08:21 AM.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
I've concluded that inflation ISN'T going down, the job market is chilling, living paycheck-to-paycheck is a luxury of the past, credit cards are being maxed out, and the blatant political corruption is overwhelming. Then you have the never-ending threat of COVID and the effects of Long COVID on those that have had it. And welcome "global warming." If that's not enough, the movement of world leaders to a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) spells the end of any remaining privacy we have.
Other than that, I have no idea why people are angry. Maybe it's the phase of the moon.
I've been having issues with my trunk not closing as well, but chased it down to an electrical issue. The top features work flawlessly and the trunk will open without issue, but when I would push the button for the trunk to close it will start to move then just stop(first attempt) then just give up totally. Chasing down the issue I believe I've isolated it to a failed relay in the roof control module. I have one on order that just arrived so I'll be installing it tomorrow. I'll repost here when complete with results. Hopefully it's the correct module and I'm not just chasing my tail.
Actually figuring out how to get the trunk lid to close and stay latched was extremely difficult...I didn't think I'd ever figure out how to get it to close/latch!
In my situation, no. I have to open the trunk, manually latch the catch with it open completely, pull the "open" release lever, hold it until the latch opens, then push down lightly for the latch to actually close and lock. Took about a half hour to figure that out and have it close consistently.
Hopefully today was the last day for that...I guess we'll see.. [fingers crossed]
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
As you can see, the Vario Roof is controlled by the VDS module. All of the functions of the roof can be controlled and diagnosed within that module. You can also check for error codes. Maybe a scan will help.
Last edited by JettaRed; Oct 11, 2023 at 04:43 PM.
I've been having issues with my trunk not closing as well, but chased it down to an electrical issue. The top features work flawlessly and the trunk will open without issue, but when I would push the button for the trunk to close it will start to move then just stop(first attempt) then just give up totally. Chasing down the issue I believe I've isolated it to a failed relay in the roof control module. I have one on order that just arrived so I'll be installing it tomorrow. I'll repost here when complete with results. Hopefully it's the correct module and I'm not just chasing my tail.
Actually figuring out how to get the trunk lid to close and stay latched was extremely difficult...I didn't think I'd ever figure out how to get it to close/latch!
That's how ours started out, but I found I could slowly lower the deck lid and get it to latch. Replacing the loose bushing on the strut has resolved our issue. I just checked it today and the part is staying firmly in place after multiple uses of the trunk and vario roof. Sounds like your issue is a little different, especially if all the strut bushings are not sliding out of place.
I've been having issues with my trunk not closing as well, but chased it down to an electrical issue. The top features work flawlessly and the trunk will open without issue, but when I would push the button for the trunk to close it will start to move then just stop(first attempt) then just give up totally. Chasing down the issue I believe I've isolated it to a failed relay in the roof control module. I have one on order that just arrived so I'll be installing it tomorrow. I'll repost here when complete with results. Hopefully it's the correct module and I'm not just chasing my tail.
Actually figuring out how to get the trunk lid to close and stay latched was extremely difficult...I didn't think I'd ever figure out how to get it to close/latch!
Happy Holidays, has anyone with an R231 SL (SL550/SL63, etc.) experienced the roof panel starting to lift for trunk access but immediately stalling? I'm here in SF looking for a shop/mechanic that may assist me with the issue below:
Symptom
The vario roof itself works perfectly — smooth opening and closing with no hesitation.
The only issue is the Load Assist / trunk access lift function:
When the roof is stowed in the trunk and I open the trunk lid,
The stored roof panel starts to lift by maybe 1–2 mm (about 1/12 inch)
Then immediately stops and just sits there.
The panel never raises up enough to allow trunk access.
What I’ve ruled out (based on the behavior)
Because the panel does begin to move, it seems the following are functioning:
Trunk latch microswitch → must be working or the sequence wouldn’t even start
Roof stowage position sensors → must be reporting correctly or the car wouldn’t allow any motion
Roof control module logic → appears to be issuing the command
Main roof hydraulics → roof opens/closes perfectly
So this appears to be isolated to the Load Assist / deck-lift subsystem only.
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