SL55/63/65/R230 AMG R230 SL55 Roof problem

Apr 18, 2011 | 01:07 AM

Steve Vanq

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SL55 AMG & E55 AMG Estate

R230 SL55 Roof problem

I'm hoping someone can help with a roof problem on my SL55.

Yesterday I retracted the roof, the operation worked normally until the bootlid (trunk lid) failed to close fully. It is about 6 inches up at the front edge.

The roof will now not go back up or the bootlid fully down when using the switch.

Any ideas? Thanks.

Apr 18, 2011 | 02:24 AM

Karl G

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Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 119

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From: California

You probably have a dead piston seal somewhere in the system. Take it to the dealer and have them diagnose via STAR; it's very quick.

Apr 18, 2011 | 02:52 AM

Steve Vanq

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Joined: Apr 2011

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SL55 AMG & E55 AMG Estate

Thanks very much, I'll get in touch with them. Regards

Apr 18, 2011 | 10:01 AM

aluthman

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Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 146

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From: Oakdale, CT

2003 SL55 AMG

Check to make sure the flaps have folded completely up onto the underside of the trunk lid. If they don't trip a limit switch, everything just stops moving about halfway. If this is what is causing it, you can just reach in and give the flaps a push into position to get the trunk lid down for the time being. The fix for this is to replace two metal covers in the gear drive system for the flaps. IIRC, these covers are $60-70 for both sides and they aren't hard to install yourself. I would check out this possibility before taking it to a dealer and throwing away a minimum of $100 diagnostic fee.

Apr 18, 2011 | 10:11 AM

Steve Vanq

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SL55 AMG & E55 AMG Estate

Thanks aluthman...........you're spot on. My friendly dealer ran a free Star diagnostic & identified the problem as one of the flap switches. The diagnostic re-set everything & it's working OK for now but for peace of mind a new switch covers are on the way.
Many thanks again. Regards from the UK.

Apr 18, 2011 | 12:26 PM

Karl G

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Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 119

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From: California

That's interesting; that must mean that the flaps were just tight enough to close fully with the bootlid in the uppermost open position, but then just loose enough to fall out of the closed position as the bootlid closed. Glad it wasn't something more serious.

Apr 18, 2011 | 01:37 PM

aluthman

Member

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 146

Likes: 1

From: Oakdale, CT

2003 SL55 AMG

FYI to anyone who may care, the repair kit is P/N: 230-750-01-11 List price $62.48 Install took me ~45 minutes to do both sides, but it included a beer/smoke break between the two sides.