hard top sticking - half locked...HELP!

[dj7007]

I purchased a 1997 sl500 and removed the roof today. When I tried to put it back on, the front pins got semi-locked. I tried to unlock them using the switch but it fully locked the front of the roof in place, leaving the rear pins out of their holes. Now for some reason i cannot get the front of the roof to release so i can get the rear pins into the holes..
As you can imaging the roof is sticking up at the rear and locked at the front so is pretty undrivable!..
I turned off ignition, opened the doors, released the rear heater wire, put it in park, started the engine, tried to release the roof again. I can hear the motor working but the front does not release. Did this ever happen to anyone?! I hope its not an issue with the motor. It worked for me earlier today and released fine..
Thanks

 

[Mark300SL]

It might be worth waiting for Stats to come along - but I would use the supplied tool to manually release the front and try again

Emergency roof operation is covered in the manual

I might be jinxing myself but I havn't has a single roof issue on mine in 6 years of ownership (touches wood)

 

[BTB 500]

Yup as Mark said, check the handbook. From memory you access the rear locking lugs from inside the boot.

 

[stats007]

Just use the roof tool to undo the front (allen) bolts manually.

 

[stats007]

 

[dj7007]

Thanks for the help.. Sorted it within 2 minutes! I dont know why it wouldnt auto release. Guess ill be keeping an allen key in the car in case it happens again.

 

[stats007]

The roof tool should be in the boot anyway.

 

[rajinder_1]

i had same problem a while ago, if you dont know what to do it can be quiet scary.... (especially if its getting dark as it was in my case) and lookin in the manual is the last thing you think about doing although it is all in there.

Raj