R129 500SL Problems ABS and Roof HELP PLEASE

[KNU7S]

Looking from some help from you guys if you can

Problem 1 ABS

The ABS light is stuck on my car, all sensors have been replaced and a new ABS pump fitted and the light is still on! its quite annoying really!

Problem 2 Roof

After a long winter i removed the hard top, folding roof worked fine, then it only worked when it wanted to??? It went in and they found a faulty catch? which was replaced, Got the car back and it still only works when it wants to. The light on the switch flashes but nothing. It has never failed to put the roof down it is just temperamental on putting the roof back up?

I was thinking weather there was a problem with the hydraulics, my car is fitted with adaptive damping and the suspension light is now on so is it low on oil??? if so what oil should i top it up with????

Hope some one out there can help!

 

[stats007]

In the first instance I'd check the battery - replacing this may cause all the problems to go away. If not:

ABS - if all the sensors have been replaced and the fault codes cleared then disconnecting the battery, reconnecting and driving for a short period should cause it to go out. When the battery is disconnected the ABS (and ESP / ASR on later cars) lights appear as the memories are lost. They 'learn' new settings if the sensors provide useable values and the lights go out.

Roof - it sounds like it may be out of sync. There are some 19 or so sensors for the roof and resetting the roof ecu (battery disconnection) requires the windows and roll bar to be reset. The roof generally has to be operated manually once as well. This information is in the owner's manual or available here.

ADS - Hopefully a battery issue - otherwise it could mean all sorts of things - worth getting a friendly independent to check the fault codes (and clear all the others particularly the roof codes) to be sure.

 

[KNU7S]

how long should i disconnect the battery for? I know when it was in for repair they put another trmpory battery on it as mine discharged?

Thanks for the information, i am going to operate the roof manualy tomorrow to see if i can sort it out.

I used the car this evening opening and closing the roof several time and then nothing. Under the spare wheel i noticed a pump with hydralic fluid in, when the hood was down i operated the switcg down wards it made a noise, but when i tried to put the roof up is did nothing?

 

[stats007]

Sounds like low voltage. If your battery has discharged I'd get a new one.

 

[KNU7S]

Thanks for that, would the battery effect the system even if the engine is running?

 

[stats007]

It does yes - I can't guarantee this is the problem but nearly every case I've seen it does the job.

 

[janner]

Change the battery for sure. ABS/ASD lights can indicate low voltage.
Never jump start an R129 or charge the battery with it connected.

 

[KNU7S]

I will go and get a new heavy duty battery in the morning and give that a go, probably the cheepest part i have bought for the car in a long while!!

Thanks to you all and i will post the out come tomorrow

tim

 

[KNU7S]

I have bought a new battery and just fitted it in the rain!

The suspension light is still on but i have had not had chance to check the roof in this weather

The ABS is still not working!

Any ideas??????

 

[stats007]

I wouldn't like to suggest anything without having the fault codes read now you have a new battery. A friendly independent should do this for nothing. You could meter the output of the alternator - the old battery may have been damaged through lack of charging.

 

[KNU7S]

The day after i fitted the battery (in the rain) Every thing seems to be OK now!

Many thanks to all of you for you help

Tim

 

[stats007]

Glad it's sorted!