SL - roof mechanism problem

[nickg]

Got the sat nav fitted in my SL (129) yesterday.
Fitters took the hard top off to work on the car.
...........and managed to drain the battery during the course of the day.
Now the roll bar switch and roof up/down switch are lit up and the mechanism is not functioning.
I tried re-synching the system by lowering/raising the windows, but no joy.
So they can't get the hard top back on or raise the soft top.

Will it need resetting by MB or are there any other fixes?
I'm sure this topic has been covered several times on forums but despite numerous searches I can't find it.

Any advice, or just re-assuring comments, would be welcome.

 

[Flash]

Is there an independent specialist nearby that you can drive the car too (may be able to avoid MB labor rates). If I was you I would try and get the SAT NAV installers' to contribute towards the cost of rectification if MB do charge for a simple reset.

Good Luck.

Flash

 

[nickg]

Fixed. Battery disconnected for 30 mins then reconnected.
The sat nav installers to their credit accepted full responsibility for getting it fixed, and have done so this morning.
Phew.

 

[Flash]

Nice one...

The SAT NAV installers sound decent too - in the end was it them who resolved issue or did you get advise/support from MB?

Flash

 

[nickg]

I was 99% sure it was just a battery glitch.
Sat nav man called a mate of his at MB Harrow (he does some work for them occasionally) who told him to dis- and re-connect the battery.
I didn't really want to give my advice just in case the problem was more serious. Didn't want responsibility transferring back to me.

I reckon my installer probably deserves a free plug - will give him one on here once I pick the car up this afternoon and am certain that all is well...........

 

[Tan]

The manual procedure for raising and lower the roof is quite a simple one and well worth learning in case you ever need it in the future. SteveBCS told me about it when my roof got stuck after i took my hard top off in the spring.

 

[deansy]

Hi there

I've been having problems with my hood too. It was fine at first but now when putting it back up the hood reconnects at the front but the rear cover does not come down to allow the rear section to drop.

What is the manual procedure for raising and lowering the roof in case it jams and it rains!?!?!?!

I will try disconnecting the battery to see if that solves the problem.

 

[Flash]

I will try disconnecting the battery to see if that solves the problem.

Be careful disconencting battery as one member on here recently had problem with doign so on his W203 - possible cause may have been leaving the door open in process (interior light causing a short...) as per the member was suggesting.

 

[deansy]

Thanks.

Will the interior boot light cause the same problem? Should I remove the bulb from it first?

If I need a MB reset how much am I looking at?

 

[Flash]

Justy make sure key is not in ignition, all doors/boot are closed (unlocked of course) and radio etc. swicthed off. It should be fine if u follow these basic steps...

 

[deansy]

the battery is in the boot compartment so I would have to leave that open. Is that OK?

The car is at my local garage for some minor work today - should I have them disconnect it? I can then at least blame them if it goes wrong!!!!!!

 

[Flash]

That is a good point about the boot light an dto be hoenst I am not sure... I did not know battery was located in boot. I would asume sure leaving boot interior light in place would not cause a short otherwise this would be a major design flaw by MB.

Getting the garage to disconnect the battery would be a good idea (is it MB or indy?) and like u said if anythign does go wrong then it shall be their responsibility. If decent garage then they shall not charge u for disconencting the battery which is a very simple job...

I'm not trying to scare u off doing the disconenction urself its just i dont want u to have any unecessary problems like the other member encountered.

Tan/KLP92 are probably ur best bet to drop a PM as they too have R129 and KLP 92 is very hands on/technical.

 

[deansy]

Thanks Flash.

It's an indy garage but they have merc trained guys. Will have them disconnect it for a short while.

I'd like to avoid any problems that i can - don't want any wallet sapping surprises!! Just had it fully serviced, an oil leak fixed and a bumper respray (thanks to a little mishap my wife had while parking!

As the good weather is finally here (?!?!) just want the hood to work!

thanks for your help.

 

[Mark300SL]

I fittted a new battery tour SL with no problems at all

Kept keys in pocket, window open and doors shut.
10 minutes later the batttery was fitted and all was well

Mark

 

[mikeouk]

ive just encountered a problem on my r129 tonight when I went to raise the roof. The button lights up but nothing happens. There hasnt been any sign of problems before. Ive ended up putting the roof up manualy after trying the diconnecting battery trick ive read about here. Ill see what happens tommorrow, ill try putting the roof down and then up again. Im not quite sure ,but is there a way of the dealer resetting the sequance or is that what diconnecting the battery is meant to do?

 

[Fais]

Im not quite sure ,but is there a way of the dealer resetting the sequance or is that what diconnecting the battery is meant to do?

dealer can test the components to see what is causing the problem.

i found the battery can do a basic reset of the cycle... sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. as mentioned in this thread, do be careful when disconnecting the battery, since you could short the soft-top control unit (the most delicate component). I speak from experience

The cost of getting the soft-top unit replaced is a shock!

 

[mikeouk]

just tried to put the roof down this morning and ,,nothing.But the strange thing is, when you activate the roof switch,there is a wirring noise comes from where the interior lights are, im presuming there is a motor in there which works that part of the roof?? even when the car is running you can here this wirring noise,,,anyone got any ideas whats gone wrong and why it would just malfunction in this way??