Hard top / Soft top and Roll Bar Dash Lights Staying On
The other day when putting the hard top for the winter I encountered problems. Had trouble getting the hard top to fully latch securely and after several tries the battery went dead. Waited till morning and still dead. Called MBUSA they sent out a truck to jump the car and it started fine. Said to let the engine run for 30 to 40 minintes, turn off and try to remove top and then re-try procedure from scratch and should reset automaticly. This did not work and I took the car to the MBZ dealer, they hooked it up to the computer and could not find any fault codes other than low voltage. They then disconnected the battery and re-connected and this solved everything (they did all this for no charge).
Today when out running errands the car seemed a little slow at starting but did, however the top and roll bar lights came on and stayed on. I tried taking the car back to the dealer today (Friday 12/23) about 3:30 but they haad already closed for the Holidays. I ran the car for about an hour and put it bank in the garage turned it off and then re-started it and lights are off seemingly fine.
My questions are: Has anyone had any of these problems? The SL500 is a 1997 and is only drivin 50 or so miles a week and the mechanic that jumped the car he thinks it still has the original battery. Does anyone think this my just be a case of worn out battery? At eight years old I think I will have the battery replaced next week, even if is not the complete answer. Anyone have any other ideas before taking it in next week.
This has always been a great and completely trouble free up to now at 64K miles. Thanks.
RE: Hard top / Soft top and Roll Bar Dash Lights Staying On
I'm not entirely sure, but my guess is that it was your battery. MBs are typically know to be sensitive to voltage fluctuations or low voltage situations. If you don't see any of the symptoms again after changing the battery, you probably found the problem. I learned from an old time MB owner years ago that changing your battery after 4 years, regardless of seeming condition, is a good insurance policy against gremlins like this.
Linear Mode
