R170 SLK Roof Issue

[RXED]

Hi all,

I recently picked up a bargain of an ‘99 SLK 230k which has developed an issue with the roof.

The roof won’t open and the roof switch flashes when you press it. But that’s not all. If you were to double press the roof switch, both the windows roll down and then nothing happens. If you push the switch (as if to put the roof up), the windows close again and then you hear the hydraulic pump start to work for a few seconds as if it’s trying to close the roof (it’s already closed). After a few seconds, it stops.

I’m not really sure where to start. It’s had a new pump and the relay is all fine. It could be a micro switch I guess, but the symptoms seem a little odd.

Can anyone offer some support?

Thanks in advance.

Ed

[Ian-27xza]

Have you checked that the boot pull-out cover is pulled out and correctly located on the two micro switches?

Even if it is, try recycling the cover on and off the switches and they can become a bit 'sticky' if not used or knocked.

[Plinth]

^^^ This is worth checking.

Plus these ideas I was told:

There is a handle in the toolkit to manually wind the roof up and down - when the power system has failed.
Try it - it might be a mechanical problem rather than electrical (the mechanism might be a bit sticky through lack of use and the pump cuts out when the pressure builds up.)

Check for any obstructions on the mechanism and give it a squirt of silicone spray.

Revisit the relay - often the cause of problems.

Look again at the switch on the console - may be a bad contact.

Try operating the roof with the engine running - the electrics that pressurise the pump use a lot of power - if your battery is discharged it can stop it working.

A diagnostics check might show any circuit issues.

Good luck!

[rgv250ads]

I've got a R171 but similar issue, turned out to be a faulty earth in one of the roof micro switches, a decent MB indy with STAR can trace these faults quickly.

I think it was about £50 to fit a new switch incl labour. just one of them things with folding roofs !

[RXED]

Thanks for the reply’s. I am going to re-replace the relay and do the other checks today. The car is also booked into a local Indy next Friday for a scan on STAR to see if that produces any codes.

I’ll let you know how I get on.

Any more information that may be useful, please let me know.