320 Sl Roof Problem

[Limahl]

I have a 97 320SL, great car but just starting to get a few niggles with it, and need a bit do advice.

In the last month auto gearbox seized, water pump started leaking and two new tyres. Got a second hand gear box from Dronfields, replaced water pump full service and two tyres £3000 spent.

Now after getting that lot sorted I was some what disappointed when I was raising the roof on the car and it got stuck for no reason half way through its closing procedure. I read the hand book which showed me how to lower it manually and with the help of the special tool for locking it I thought it was sorted. Now it wont open electrically.

This is what happens:

When I press the button the red light does flash. The rear panel lifts though and the second part the rear window folds up but the roof wont unlock above the windscreen. I have opened it manually and the pressed the button to see if that help but it makes no difference. It does look like the passenger side wants to lift but the drivers side certainly doesn't. Also when the drivers window goes down it carries on clunking even after the window is completely open. This didn't happen prior to the roof getting stuck.

At the moment I can open the roof manually but its not right, What do you think is the problem?

Best Regards

[davidn]

I'm guessing but maybe it's one of the many micro switches that's failed. Sounds like one side of the roof thinks it's done it's thing when in fact it's only half way there. The window clunking might be a clue though as I understand that the roof needs to know what the windows are doing to function. Can't be of any other help I'm afraid. Have you tried over on www.mbclub.co.uk. There's a lot of knowledge on the R129 there so maybe worth an ask.
David

[paoloh]

Limahl said:

I have a 97 320SL, great car but just starting to get a few niggles with it, and need a bit do advice.

In the last month auto gearbox seized, water pump started leaking and two new tyres. Got a second hand gear box from Dronfields, replaced water pump full service and two tyres £3000 spent.

Now after getting that lot sorted I was some what disappointed when I was raising the roof on the car and it got stuck for no reason half way through its closing procedure. I read the hand book which showed me how to lower it manually and with the help of the special tool for locking it I thought it was sorted. Now it wont open electrically.

This is what happens:

When I press the button the red light does flash. The rear panel lifts though and the second part the rear window folds up but the roof wont unlock above the windscreen. I have opened it manually and the pressed the button to see if that help but it makes no difference. It does look like the passenger side wants to lift but the drivers side certainly doesn't. Also when the drivers window goes down it carries on clunking even after the window is completely open. This didn't happen prior to the roof getting stuck.

At the moment I can open the roof manually but its not right, What do you think is the problem?

Best Regards

I'm sorry as this advice may be a month too late.
When one of these Sl's start going wrong, they carry on going wrong.
SELL IT!

[froggie]

CHECK THE cam at the rear of the roof near the hinge+ rear screen ,hook shaped catch thing,just mark it then try ajusting it,(slacken the bolt a bit)
sounds to me like its not letting go hence sticking at one side.
merk tried filling me full of st + wanted £4oo just to look at one of ours .there always good for a laugh, thats about all.it took me less than 10 mins to sort good luck

[Limahl]

Well I popped in to my local Mercedes Stealership in Bedford on Saturday, spoke to a chat there who had no idea of what could be wrong, said it might be £1000 to repair anf then got the hump because he had wasted 15 minutes discussing this with me and I refused to book it in for repair.

I think I migght try and find somewhere that knows what they are talking aboutt

Brendan

[Limahl]

davidn said:

I'm guessing but maybe it's one of the many micro switches that's failed. Sounds like one side of the roof thinks it's done it's thing when in fact it's only half way there. The window clunking might be a clue though as I understand that the roof needs to know what the windows are doing to function. Can't be of any other help I'm afraid. Have you tried over on www.mbclub.co.uk. There's a lot of knowledge on the R129 there so maybe worth an ask.
David

Thanks David, I'll have a look on there, have been looking at this forum where I have found lots of info

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129-sl-class/

paoloh said:

I'm sorry as this advice may be a month too late.
When one of these Sl's start going wrong, they carry on going wrong.
SELL IT!

You might be right but no one would buy it when gearbox was kaput.

froggie said:

CHECK THE cam at the rear of the roof near the hinge+ rear screen ,hook shaped catch thing,just mark it then try ajusting it,(slacken the bolt a bit)sounds to me like its not letting go hence sticking at one side. Merk tried filling me full of st + wanted £4oo just to look at one of ours, they're always good for a laugh, thats about all, it took me less than 10 mins to sort good luck

Thanks Froggie I'll have a play and see if that sorts it.

Regards Brendan

Edited by Limahl on Monday 2nd June 10:41