Roof Issues R129

[dashers33]

Hi everyone, as a new owner of a 1995 R129 SL280, thought it was worthwhile joining the forum.

No sure where to post my issues with roof.

Having taken delivery of the vehicle a few weeks ago, and yesterday (good friday) being such a great day, a top down ride was calling.

First we removed the hard top, with no problem, safely stored onto its holder, we raised the folding roof, again with no issues, locking into place etc.

as we are about to set off for the coast, lowered the folding roof, locked into position, all good. However....

Went to fit the draught guard and need to raise the rollover bar, which is when I noticed that both the red lights on the switch are constantly on, as is the roof button.

The roof nor the roll over bar will not operate, Have trickle charged the battery with the battery condition, tried with the engine running and not running. Have reset windows, have applied the footbrake, pretty much everything that I read about on the forums. But the roof remains stubbornly down, with roll over in the down position and the red lights constantly on on both the roof switch and roll over switch.

Is there a knack that I'm missing

Regards Neil

 

[SmartAmg]

Welcome.

 

[Wearsthefoxhat]

Hi and welcome,

have you tried to raise it manually.. possibly one of the many switches just stuck. Hopefully a work through will get it back.
have you checked fuses and hydraulic fluid level in the pump under the spare wheel..

 

[dashers33]

Hi and welcome,

have you tried to raise it manually.. possibly one of the many switches just stuck. Hopefully a work through will get it back.
have you checked fuses and hydraulic fluid level in the pump under the spare wheel..

So update on the R129 1995 roof saga, have managed to close the folding roof manually, and have locked it in position. I guess I can lower it by reversing the process. Have checked the hydraulic oil reservoir, all good. Battery full NOCO Genius take care of this. The roof and rollover switches permanently lit red and neither functions. Any clues, pointers, would be greatly appreciated
Thanks Neil

 

[Doodle]

Does the autodrop/one touch work on the side windows? The roof relies on knowing where the side windows are positioned before it will function properly.

 

[dashers33]

Does the autodrop/one touch work on the side windows? The roof relies on knowing where the side windows are positioned before it will function properly.

Hi Doodle, thanks for the suggestion, just been out to check and the one touch function on both windows is working, I even have tried disconnecting the battery, reconnect, reset windows etc.
Immediately after this the lights on the rollover bar switch didn't come on, and the light on the roof switch, but as soon as i preside the rollover bar switch the red lights returned and stay on.

Its a mystery Neil

 

[Doodle]

When you closed the roof, how did you lock it in position - using the button or the manual tool? Did you also lock the roof compartment cover?

 

[dashers33]

When you closed the roof, how did you lock it in position - using the button or the manual tool? Did you also lock the roof compartment cover?

Hi Doodle, the roof was locked into position manually using the tool front and rear, although the rear bow of the fabric roof is not fully clicked in, as this is not possible manually
Regards Neil

 

[dashers33]

When you closed the roof, how did you lock it in position - using the button or the manual tool? Did you also lock the roof compartment cover?

Sorry Doodle roof cover is locked down but using the 10mm tool manually

 

[Doodle]

although the rear bow of the fabric roof is not fully clicked in, as this is not possible manually

Usually once it's in this position the button should allow you to finish the job even on an unhappy roof - that suggests it might be the lock switches in the header rail haven't given the signal to say they're locked - not uncommon as the sprung metal plate gets tired with age.

Ideally you'd hook up to some form of diagnostics (even a blink reader) to confirm.

 

[dashers33]

Usually once it's in this position the button should allow you to finish the job even on an unhappy roof - that suggests it might be the lock switches in the header rail haven't given the signal to say they're locked - not uncommon as the sprung metal plate gets tired with age.

Ideally you'd hook up to some form of diagnostics (even a blink reader) to confirm.

Thanks Doodle, I think today mostly, I will be exploring the header rail lock switches. I did notice a small patch of light oil close to the nearside visor, so perhaps the lock mechanism has leaked. So lots of fiddling with the header rail trim etc this morning me thinks!

Neil

 

[BTB 500]

These cars don't like low voltage - I had window-related fault codes logged on my post-facelift car that had to be cleared via STAR diagnostics in the end. There was nothing physically wrong with anything - this happened after it only just started on a tired battery. Similar symptoms - roof & rollbar switch lights on and nothing working. I've kept it on a maintenance charger ever since to ensure the battery is topped up at all times. Good luck with getting yours sorted

 

[Doodle]

Thanks Doodle, I think today mostly, I will be exploring the header rail lock switches. I did notice a small patch of light oil close to the nearside visor, so perhaps the lock mechanism has leaked. So lots of fiddling with the header rail trim etc this morning me thinks!

Neil

It's relatively easy to access from the topside.