W208 Cab : rollbar wont go down (and roof won't either)

[nmk]

Last few times I put the roof down, it initially didn't work, but after moving the rollbar up then down again, the roof decided it would go down after all.

Tonight, the roof wouldnt open, so I put the rollbar up as before, but the rollbar made a strange clicking noise as I put it up.

The rollbar now won't go back down again - when I press the switch I hear something like a solenoid click on then off again, but nothing happens.

Anyone seen this before?

Hoping to avoid a trip to the dealership - not least because they close my local branch, so now its a real pain to get it serviced (SE16)

Cheers
Nathan

 

[television]

This could be a roll bar fault hold the switch in either direction long enough to see if it will engage, it can take several sec

 

[fuzzer]

could try the info in this thread ?

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=17257&highlight=w208+reset+roll

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=5433&highlight=w208+reset

 

[nmk]

W208 rollbar stuck in up position

I've taken the rear seats out, but cannot see anything mechanical to press in order to release the rollbar to allow it to go down - the whole thing seems to be solenoid and hydraulic controlled, with no access to the bloke with screwdriver type like myself...

Does anyone know if its possible to reset the rollbar control mechanism without going to the dealer (I tried unplugging the battery, but that didnt work)? I think its a computer problem, the computer having decided there is a mechanical fault, and therefore not letting the rollbars go down. Thing is I know that there is no fault - just something got stuck in the spring when they were going up (ISO fix seat) and so the computer decided it there is something wrong. Seat is removed, and I can see mechanism looks fine, but computer insists there is an error and won't let them budge so far as I can understand it...

Dealer wants £58 for whats no doubt a 10 minute job, but more importantly there are no dealers near me anymore as Mercedes in their wisdom have closed them all down. This sucks big time - if I can't get any luck, I'm tempted to leave the merc behind for something I can get serviced round the corner (Audi) - would be great if someone can save me from selling out!

Cheers
Nathan

 

[sirswift93]

Sounds like what happened to my roll bar.

I've taken the rear seats out, but cannot see anything mechanical to press in order to release the rollbar to allow it to go down - the whole thing seems to be solenoid and hydraulic controlled, with no access to the bloke with screwdriver type like myself...

Does anyone know if its possible to reset the rollbar control mechanism without going to the dealer (I tried unplugging the battery, but that didnt work)? I think its a computer problem, the computer having decided there is a mechanical fault, and therefore not letting the rollbars go down. Thing is I know that there is no fault - just something got stuck in the spring when they were going up (ISO fix seat) and so the computer decided it there is something wrong. Seat is removed, and I can see mechanism looks fine, but computer insists there is an error and won't let them budge so far as I can understand it...

Dealer wants £58 for whats no doubt a 10 minute job, but more importantly there are no dealers near me anymore as Mercedes in their wisdom have closed them all down. This sucks big time - if I can't get any luck, I'm tempted to leave the merc behind for something I can get serviced round the corner (Audi) - would be great if someone can save me from selling out!

Cheers
Nathan

My roll bar popped up and I can't bring it back down. I hit a curb putting my right rear wheel in the air; safety measure in the car sends the roll bar up in a second thinking the car might roll over. The way to get it down normally in a w208 is to press up on the roll bar switch for 8 plus seconds until you hear a bracket engage. Then press down on the the same switch and it the roll bar will go down. Here is the problem in my case. There is a metal cup the is attached to the bracket in question that connects to the bottom of the drivers side roll bar. This metal cup unscrewed from the bottom of the headrest and now the solenoid can not reattach. Normally it is attached to a solenoid underneath. When the car thinks it rolling over the solenoid detaches and the large springs on either side of the roll bar send them shooting upward in a second or less. This is just another poor design or poor construction for our cabs. First the front handle is friction fit with a washer that breaks off; can be weld back. Then Benz uses a screw on cup that connects to a solenoid that is not set with either a lock washer or loc-tite.

I know my problem was not like others on the forums for two reasons.

1. Can't be hydraulic related; not leaking fluid.

2. Can't be relay; can hear the hydraulics being actuated when pressing the roll bar button.

Therefore, I took out the rear seat cushion and back rest. The back rest is four bolts on the bottom and two screws behind the center armrest backing. Then its a gentle tug hear and there. I found the metal cup and washer under the seat cushion. Therefore, if you haven't figured out your reason why the roll bar won't redeploy, just lift up the seat cushion and see if you have parts underneath. They may be wedged behind the back cushion too.

You will need a special two-point bit (I don't know what its called) to re-tighten the cup bolt. Use loc-tite before you re-tighten so it does not come off again.

I have attached photos to help anyone who is looking to make this fix themselves.

SirSwift93

 

[sirswift93]

Couldn't get my roll bar down either; now I can!

Last few times I put the roof down, it initially didn't work, but after moving the rollbar up then down again, the roof decided it would go down after all.

Tonight, the roof wouldnt open, so I put the rollbar up as before, but the rollbar made a strange clicking noise as I put it up.

The rollbar now won't go back down again - when I press the switch I hear something like a solenoid click on then off again, but nothing happens.

Anyone seen this before?

Hoping to avoid a trip to the dealership - not least because they close my local branch, so now its a real pain to get it serviced (SE16)

Cheers
Nathan

My roll bar popped up and I can't bring it back down. I hit a curb putting my right rear wheel in the air; safety measure in the car sends the roll bar up in a second thinking the car might roll over. The way to get it down normally in a w208 is to press up on the roll bar switch for 8 plus seconds until you hear a bracket engage. Then press down on the the same switch and it the roll bar will go down. Here is the problem in my case. There is a metal cup the is attached to the bracket in question that connects to the bottom of the drivers side roll bar. This metal cup unscrewed from the bottom of the headrest and now the solenoid can not reattach. Normally it is attached to a solenoid underneath. When the car thinks it rolling over the solenoid detaches and the large springs on either side of the roll bar send them shooting upward in a second or less. This is just another poor design or poor construction for our cabs. First the front handle is friction fit with a washer that breaks off; can be weld back. Then Benz uses a screw on cup that connects to a solenoid that is not set with either a lock washer or loc-tite.

I know my problem was not like others on the forums for two reasons.

1. Can't be hydraulic related; not leaking fluid.
2. Can't be relay; can hear the hydraulics being actuated when pressing the roll bar button.

Therefore, I took out the rear seat cushion and back rest. The back rest is four bolts on the bottom and two screws behind the center armrest backing. Then its a gentle tug hear and there. I found the metal cup and washer under the seat cushion. Therefore, if you haven't figured out your reason why the roll bar won't redeploy, just lift up the seat cushion and see if you have parts underneath. They may be wedged behind the back cushion too.

You will need a special two-point bit (I don't know what its called) to re-tighten the cup bolt. Use loc-tite before you re-tighten so it does not come off again.

I have attached photos to help anyone who is looking to make this fix themselves.

SirSwift93

 

[Darren.ingham]

Hi I am new and can't find the pics attached ? My roll bars won't go down.