Thanks in advance for your contribution.

Since there have been many others that have been in your shoes with regard to the soft top malfunctioning, and many more to come, this is a great opportunity for you to contribute to the Forum. May I suggest that you do an exhaustive "Search" of this Forum. After you have come up with a complete sequence of tests that you believe needs to be done may I suggest that you post ALL of them to the Forum. Even if you think there may not be a fit.

BTW, there is a fellow that goes by the handle of "bobterry99" that probably could give you a quick answer if you decide not to read and research all of the Posts that I believe will help you and posibly countless others in the future.

**Please read http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129-sl-class/1318272-top-will-not-go-up-please-help.html and http://www.benzworld.org/forums/2184232-post33.html and http://www.benzworld.org/forums/1957141-post2.html and http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r12...orums/r129-sl-class/1261289-stuck-windows-top-wont-goes-down-2.html#post2006524

Thanks in advance for your contribution.

 

Lynn,

I am aware of the clutter with regard to multiple posts, but I did do a search....nothing quite fit my problem....The other posts all seemed to deal with cylinder leaks, fuse issues, or top not rising fully.

My top won't go down (front won't release from windshield area.)

The windows work fine, the roll bar works fine, there is no apparent leak, I checked the fuses, re-synched the remote, checked the battery charge, etc.....All things I gathered from doing the search you recommended.

I apologize if I offended anyone with my post, but I do know how the forum system works...I do know where the "search" button is. This problem just didn't seem to "fit the mold"!!

I'll try all of the steps again...and will surely post any results. If all else fails I was thinking of using the allen wrench and maually disengaging the front from the windshield area and then trying to lower the top...and if that works then raising the top and doing the re-synch thing.

I'm just running out of ideas....Thus my post and request for help. Once again, no offense was intended....

 

Hi StatManSL, did you solve your issues on the SL? I am new here, and considering a purchase.
Thanks

 

Lynn,

I am aware of the clutter with regard to multiple posts, but I did do a search....nothing quite fit my problem....The other posts all seemed to deal with cylinder leaks, fuse issues, or top not rising fully.

My top won't go down (front won't release from windshield area.)

The windows work fine, the roll bar works fine, there is no apparent leak, I checked the fuses, re-synched the remote, checked the battery charge, etc.....All things I gathered from doing the search you recommended.

I apologize if I offended anyone with my post, but I do know how the forum system works...I do know where the "search" button is. This problem just didn't seem to "fit the mold"!!

I'll try all of the steps again...and will surely post any results. If all else fails I was thinking of using the allen wrench and maually disengaging the front from the windshield area and then trying to lower the top...and if that works then raising the top and doing the re-synch thing.

I'm just running out of ideas....Thus my post and request for help. Once again, no offense was intended....

Yes, I will agree that there is clutter in the posts. There are many who just throw in there two cents in hopes that that it might work. And ther are IMHO many who are looking for a free answer without doing any Searches. This is one of the most active 129 boards and there is plenty of good stuff here if a person is willing to Search it out and read between the lines.

Don't worry you didn't offend. Did you read the "**Please read" posts that I included above. If I'm not mistaken the last two of them had a similar problem to yours.

I think I would agree with you that helping the top release manually is an option. In my M-B readings it has been suggested that sometimes it is needed.

Please keep us posted on your findings.

 

Well...I do have some results...and SUCCESS!

For me at least, the "Reset"/Re-Synch" sequence is not a one-shot (or 2 or 3 for that matter) deal.

I did the re-set/re-synch deal at least 5 times before it worked (same order, exact same sequence.)

So what I have learned is persitance and a bit of patience.

That's easier to have when you want the top to lower....I am always concerned that I might have difficulty geting the top up if it starts to rain suddenly....That's why I always keep that dual-end tool handy!

 

Great news! Congratulations.

So when a top won't release it is a good idea to re-synch the windows, possibly multiple times, as the owners manual outlines. If necessary get the soft top tool out and release the top to start the sequence.

Did you do the window re-synch with the engine running?

 

<<Did you do the window re-synch with the engine running?<<

Yeah...I tried both ways. I initailly did it with the engine running, because I did not want to run down the battery (I read in other posts that a slight drop in voltage could cause soft-top problems), but then after checking the battery, I did it with the engine off.

Man I love this car, but some things that you would ordinarily think would/should be simple and/or intuititve are frequently not.....

 

So when a top won't release it is a good idea to re-synch the windows, possibly multiple times, as the owners manual outlines. If necessary get the soft top tool out and release the top to start the sequence.

Did you do the window re-synch with the engine running?

Because the dead/weak battery issue has come up soooooo many times I have decided to post http://www.benzworld.org/forums/2371141-post7.html

 

I initailly did it with the engine running, because I did not want to run down the battery (I read in other posts that a slight drop in voltage could cause soft-top problems), but then after checking the battery, I did it with the engine off.

FWIW, look what I found out about the Soft Top (see attached).

From the M-B R129 CD, Removing and Installing the Soft Top Control Module

"the soft top control module is active for about sixty minutes after the ignition is turned off"

I wonder if information like the windows not being synchronized is kept until approx. one hour later?

 

You might want to check the soft top switch. I had similar problem with my car as the rear "flap" would not close down on its own.

I brought to the DonPool Mercedes shop which charged me $1100 and didn't fix it (the WORST MB shop ever on earth!) because I thought I would save some money ... they had no idea what they were doing and lied about what they did.

I ended up bringing to American Service Center MB dealership and they fixed for less than $400. It turned out to be the switch as mentioned.

 

Hi, many thanks for all of the posts and especially on the soft top operation. So far, I have not seen a post where the DTC error code of 20 was returned (hard top installed) when in fact the hard top is not on the car. Cannot be erased.
The soft stop stopped mid cycle when I had to stop for a rainstorm. It had to be closed manually and has not worked since. I am looking for clues on why the error code 20 is returned...what sensor tells the control module the hard top is installed?
My car is a 1990 500SL RHD.
Cheers!

 

what sensor tells the control module the hard top is installed?

Code 20 is determined by the state of switches on each of the four locks and a switch at the top's pivot point by it's left-side mount.

If the top is open, ensure that all of the locks are in their open position. If the top is closed, then check the switch on the pivot point.

 

Many thanks bobterry99. For this and your wealth of posts over the years. Now to check those switches.

 

Does not help you perhaps...
When I have soft top issues...I have 2 SL's...When one sequence stops midway...I'll use the soft top tool and either manually finish the closing sequence or open sequence. Then I'll disconnect the battery overnight and reconnect in the morning and bingo. All is fine. Some quirk in the system that can't be explained...

 

Willing to try anything.