R231 SL63 roof problem

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JohnSL63

New Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2019
Messages
18
Location
Horsham West Sussex
Car
SL63 AMG
Hi all,
Before I go to the Indie and have my car plugged in to the diagnostic box I thought I would see if any one can help me.
I went to drop the roof the other day and it wont fully open, the boot opens and the roof starts to fold away but just stops, fortunately it times out after about 2 mins and starts to shut so fortunately I can get it shut and secured.
I've been searching the internet for days but cant really find anything similar to my problem, I've checked both boot flaps and they look fine and the micro switch for the boot cover is working as it should..
Any help would be much appreciated.
best regards
John.
 
Not read or heard of this problem before. Hope you get it sort without too much hassle or expense
 
Oh dear 81 x views and only one reply who didn't have any suggestions.
Is there not a trouble shooting guild for the roof or even a list of how many micro switches to check.
Its a lovely day and I wont the roof down please help.
JB
 
Oh dear 81 x views and only one reply who didn't have any suggestions.
Is there not a trouble shooting guild for the roof or even a list of how many micro switches to check.
Its a lovely day and I wont the roof down please help.
JB
Here's what is in my guide

ProblemPossible causes/consequences and
>
Solutions
The roof will not open or close.The boot separator is not in place.
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Close the boot separator more.
The boot lid is open.
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Close the boot lid more.
The on-board voltage is too low.
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Leave the engine running.
The roof has been opened and closed several times in a row. The roof drive has been automatically deactivated.

You can open and close the roof again after approximately ten minutes.
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Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
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Repeat the opening or closing procedure.
The automatic roof mechanism is faulty.
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Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
 
The guide is available as an app. Just type in "Mercedes-Benz Guides" in Play Store and download the app. It's really useful 👍😄

More info from Mercedes, here:

Guide FAQs
 
Well it looks like I've fix it.
There are 2 x micro switches when opening the roof that tell the computer if the boot is open or closed, they are both in one unit that can be found when the boot is open on the right side when looking from the back.
You can remove the 2 x switches in 2 minutes as there is nothing to take off and only the electrical connection and 2 x torx screws to remove the unit.
It makes sense to me now why the roof was stopping half way through its cycle, I retracted the roof in slow motion by standing outside and using the key fob to keep stopping and starting with my finger while I checked each function in turn as detailed below.

1. Side windows move down about 2 inches, small quarter windows go down completely.
2. Boot start's to open and goes to its fully open position.
3. The 2 x Flaps start to drop down.
4. Roof and rear window start to move just before the 2 x flaps have reached their final position.
5. Roof and rear window fold completely away.
6. Boot shuts.
7. Side window go fully up.

The problem was between 3 and 4 above as the micro switch was not telling the computer the flaps were in there final position so the roof just stopped opening half way through the cycle.
After removing the switch unit and examining I could hear both switches clicking and they appeared to be working so I put the switch unit back on the car and the roof started to function again how it should.
Not to take any chances I phoned Mercedes to order a new one from Germany which is to arriving Friday at a cost of £31.00,
the part number can be found on the side of the switch unit.
So happy days and here's to wind in my hair motoring again.
 
Last edited:
Well it looks like I've fix it.
There are 2 x micro switches when opening the roof that tell the computer if the boot is open or closed, they are both in one unit that can be found when the boot is open on the right side when looking from the back.
You can remove the 2 x switches in 2 minutes as there is nothing to take off and only the electrical connection and 2 x torx screws to remove the unit.
It makes sense to me now why the roof was stopping half way through its cycle, I retracted the roof in slow motion by standing outside and using the key fob to keep stopping and starting with my finger while I checked each function in turn as detailed below.

1. Side windows move down about 2 inches, small quarter windows go down completely.
2. Boot start's to open and goes to its fully open position.
3. The 2 x Flaps start to drop down.
4. Roof and rear window start to move just before the 2 x flaps have reached their final position.
5. Roof and rear window fold completely away.
6. Boot shuts.
7. Side window go fully up.

The problem was between 3 and 4 above as the micro switch was not telling the computer the flaps were in there final position so the roof just stopped opening half way through the cycle.
After removing the switch unit and examining I could hear both switches clicking and they appeared to be working so I put the switch unit back on the car and the roof started to function again how it should.
Not to take any chances I phoned Mercedes to order a new one from Germany which is to arriving Friday at a cost of £31.00,
the part number can be found on the side of the switch unit.
So happy days and here's to wind in my hair motoring again.
well done 👏

great diagnostics and repair.
 
Very useful analysis, and thanks for reporting back, no doubt this could come in use in the future
 
Ok suns out, so the saga of my SL230 roof continues.
I now have an Icar MB2 so any member familiar with the roof testing procedure, can instruct me what to look for:

Car symptoms:
Vario roof does not work
Do you have Mobilo cover? Really needs STAR to interrogate the system and see what's wrong. They could also close the roof until repairs can be done.
dont have that cover have a Icar MB2 but not sure what to look for:

seems like it does not go to stage 1, pull the switch, dash says "roof operating" then, changes to "not operating" nothing happens no window drop or movement of any kind....seems electrically dead.
roll bar not working either.

battery OK
Flaps OK

next ?????
 
I’m sure there are some You Tube videos on vario roof problems.
Hope you get things sorted
 
Ok well it seems to be fixed, I pulled and tested all fuses and relays, nothing wrong, then all of a sudden it started to work, cant say I can pin point the guilty bit, might have been I parked too close to my Range Rover and some gremlins from the LR escaped has far too many in the RR anyway.
I have an Icar MB2 if anyone near Dymchurch wants a free diagnose.
Ok suns out, so the saga of my SL230 roof continues.
I now have an Icar MB2 so any member familiar with the roof testing procedure, can instruct me what to look for:

Car symptoms:
Vario roof does not work

dont have that cover have a Icar MB2 but not sure what to look for:

seems like it does not go to stage 1, pull the switch, dash says "roof operating" then, changes to "not operating" nothing happens no window drop or movement of any kind....seems electrically dead.
roll bar not working either.

battery OK
Flaps OK

next ?????
Ok well it seems to be fixed, I pulled and tested all fuses and relays, nothing wrong, then all of a sudden it started to work, cant say I can pin point the guilty bit, might have been I parked too close to my Range Rover and some gremlins from the LR escaped has far too many in the RR anyway.
I have an Icar MB2 if anyone near Dymchurch wants a free diagnose.
 

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