SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Roof stuck - won't move
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 10
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From: Louisville, KY
2003 SL55 AMG, 2003 VW Touareg
Roof stuck - won't move
Me again...the girl with all problems
The roof was open, I tried to close it and it got stuck about 5 inches up and won't move in either direction. It says "in operation" but won't budge. One of the grey 'flaps' on either side of the boot is rigid and fixed and the other is loose and dangling there.
HELP! (again) thanks!
The roof was open, I tried to close it and it got stuck about 5 inches up and won't move in either direction. It says "in operation" but won't budge. One of the grey 'flaps' on either side of the boot is rigid and fixed and the other is loose and dangling there.
HELP! (again) thanks!
Member
Joined: Jan 2007
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Louisville, KY
2003 SL55 AMG, 2003 VW Touareg
Stopped by a performance car mechanic...
I stopped at a racecar garage today in my husband's office park and the great guy came out and helped. It turns out the the flaps that fold in and out when the top goes up and down have a switch that pulls them flush and then folds them under and only one was working. He manually lifted the top while I tried to close it and it worked great. We then put the top down and the flap came out just as it's supposed to but when we tried to close it again it needed help SO I'm headed to the dealership tomorrow morning to see if they can replace the switch that pulls the flap in.
Sorry if this is too much info but I thoguht it helpful to contribute the solution for once instead of just asking for help!
Thanks to all again...
Sorry if this is too much info but I thoguht it helpful to contribute the solution for once instead of just asking for help!
Thanks to all again...
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 375
Likes: 1
From: Lynnwood in summer, Fountain Hills during the rainy season in Wa.
2008 Maserati QP EGT, 2005 SL55AMG , 2002 CLK55AMG 2002 C230K Coupe
Thanks for the tip on the switches!
I need all the tips I can get, cause if it's got *****, props or wheels, it's gonna be trouble for me.
It rains alot here and it would be nice to get the top up if is was to stick like yours.
I need all the tips I can get, cause if it's got *****, props or wheels, it's gonna be trouble for me.
It rains alot here and it would be nice to get the top up if is was to stick like yours.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 10
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From: Louisville, KY
2003 SL55 AMG, 2003 VW Touareg
Ha! I was afraid to muscle it up but this racecar guy went right for it and no problems 
although I was holding the close button so at least he wasn't forcing the top motor in a conflicting direction...
although I was holding the close button so at least he wasn't forcing the top motor in a conflicting direction...
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 498
Likes: 3
From: HI transplant in Seattle
2024 G63, 2021 X7M50i
My father's SL63 just encountered a similar problem with the roof (only 3rd time opening since he bought it). It started to close and once the trunk tipped back about 3" it stopped. The roll bar was also up for some reason. Then nothing worked. There was no sound or movement when trying to open or close the top, and the roll bar would not move. The dash said roof in operation, but that was it.
So I had to drive it in the rain to the dealership with the top down and trunk open! They could not figure it out, something about the roll bar being engaged and thus the roof made inoperable?? So it is now at dealer.
So I am very interested to hear the results of your situation Choma?
Thanks!
So I had to drive it in the rain to the dealership with the top down and trunk open! They could not figure it out, something about the roll bar being engaged and thus the roof made inoperable?? So it is now at dealer.
So I am very interested to hear the results of your situation Choma?
Thanks!
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 827
Likes: 152
From: Simi Valley, California
2018 C63 Sedan
I've had the same situation three times so far. If you temporarily tape the flap closed the top will close until you can get it to the dealership. I actually got mine closed once by holding flap closed by hand and had someone push lever to close the roof. Be careful to not get your hand caught though. It seems you have to very careful about overloading you trunk. I have Reuss audio installed which raises the floor of the trunk about four inches or so. When I tried to carry my golf bag in the trunk it came in contact with the flaps and we think that is what caused my problem. There was too much pressure on those flaps. Whatever caused the flap switch to fail I learned to not overload my trunk. Great reason to get extended warranty when yours runs out as I understand it is a very expensive fix. Some extended warranties will not cover any top related issues by the way. Good luck with your repair and sure hopes this helps.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: UK
SL55AMG
Mine had the same thing
Called out MB road side it was the hydraulic pump had a leak all i did was get a workshop to refill the pump for me and that will do for now if it goes again i'll see about getting a new pump fitter but at £1500 i'm not in a rush to get a new one lol
Called out MB road side it was the hydraulic pump had a leak all i did was get a workshop to refill the pump for me and that will do for now if it goes again i'll see about getting a new pump fitter but at £1500 i'm not in a rush to get a new one lol
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, GA
2008 SL55
Same thing, one of my "wings" stopped working. Dealer Fixed it under warranty in under an hour. Tech said the factory gears for the wings are made of plastic and are prone to slipping or breaking. The replacement part comes with steel gears and has no such issues.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 710
Likes: 2
From: Beverly Hills, CA
03' CL55 AMG
My friend's 05' 500 had this problem, his got stuck half way open and he had to drive it down the 101 half cocked to the dealership to be fixed
Apparently it was caused by the roll bar popping up when he hit a speed bump to fast which apparently disables the roof function
Apparently it was caused by the roll bar popping up when he hit a speed bump to fast which apparently disables the roof function
