R129 soft top 'Controller' ultimate thread

[lynns]

The posts below are organized by the year of the car.


Soft Top Troubleshooting PDF

The soft top control system is surprisingly simple. The controller executes a step-by-step sequence of motions as illustrated by the document

96SL and later cars require a STAR Diagnostic OBDII scan tool in order to diagnose

99SL codes were reset for $40.00 at the Dealer because Soft top was stuck down and roll bar stuck up!

BBA-Reman.com UK rebuilds your control module for $375 plus SH and they give you a lifetime warranty.

R129 remanufactured soft top control modules for $375-$715+tax+ship vs. $1360.00 at the Dealer

All Power Top Control Modules are $595 and come with a two year warranty. Note: Be careful when using this company. Please read the bottom of I WOULD WARN EVERYONE TO STAY AWAY FROM 4MERCEDES AND MARCO KOOP.

R129 have three versions of the top controller. The first two versions are very similar, while the last one is significantly different in that it also incorporates the sensor and controls for the roll bar

SL soft top control unit location

MY00 soft top control unit location

To remove the hard top you have to operate the switch within 10 seconds of turning the key on and the windows have to be down

00 SL soft top stuck in compartment

00SL check the state of all of the limit switch inputs to the controller, controller holds information up to one hour

97SL windows won't synchronize due to a defect either in both window motor units or the soft top controller

97SL BE CAREFULL WHEN LEAVING YOUR CAR AT A BODY SHOP-DO NOT LET THEM JUMP OR CHARGE YOUR CAR-HAVE THEM CALL YOU FOR THE CORRECT PROCEDURE

97SL soft top controller probably is not getting the signal from the left door switch

97SL discharging when the car is off

97SL red button stays flashing

97SL Central Locking not working

*97SL battery lost charge>then recharge>now red soft top and rollbar light permantely>means diagnostic codes need to be reset by Indy or Dealer

*96SL and later with a fault in your soft top controller which can only be reset with and advanced diagnostic tool

*96SL and newer cars need a scan tool to reset codes, go to Indy or Dealer and ask how much to reset the soft top codes

*96SL go to the dealer or a mechanic who has the proper tool and have them read and clear codes in the soft top controller

*96SL soft top controller controls the roll bar on '96 and newer cars

How to adjust and/or reinstall the roll bar sensors

96SL and older picture of 38 pin plug under the hood/bonnet



95SL windows must also be "synchronized", as explained in the owners manual

95SL controller is not receiving the proper inputs telling it that the top is completely closed/open

94-95SL There are just 10 diagnostic codes instead of 29

R129 diagnostics through model-year 1995 and codes

90-11/94SL how to read diagnostic codes by Bob Terry

SL Soft Top Controller Reset and Roll Bar Codes and Reset Procedure

94SL soft top will not complete an opening or closing operation unless both windows are lowered

??SL roof stuck under the bonnet!

??SL diagnostic socket in the passenger footwell. You only use this to put the top controller in a special diagnostic mode which evaluates the limit switches

94SL top closing operation stops because the passenger window has not lowered


93SL soft top won't open/retract

93SL Convertible top cannot complete its cycle

93SL has a problem when opening soft top

1992 SL500 Convertible top

You don't synch the windows on an early SL

92SL roll bar and soft top stopped while going
down

92SL and I don't know what is wrong with the soft top

92SL limit switch located in the bottom of the door

92SL ASR light always on and the Rollbar is coming up by it self when im driving i cannot release my hardtop automaticly

*91SL method of clearing and reading the soft top codes

91SL I wouldn't do anything without reading codes for the top controller first.

91SL are you activating the release switch within 10 seconds of switching the ignition to ON

91SL indicator lamp will not stop blinking along with the audible warning

91SL how to verify that all inputs from the various limit switches are working properly

91SL cleared ALL codes AGAIN, disconnected the controller and cleaned all pins and sockets with electrical spray

91SL Reading codes is simple and all you need is a wire or a paper clip to use as a jumper

90-91 another soft top problem

90SL Front top latches don't close

90SL everything is latched properly but the switch is still lit, then one of the microswitches isn't signaling the controller

90 SL300 soft top problems

R129 soft top 'Hydraulic System' ultimate thread

[RedLiner]

Just for reference this is the hydraulic pump that supplies the fluid to the operating cylinders.
It is located in th trunk under the plastic covering that the spare wheel fits on to.
There are Max and Min fluid marker lines which are about 2.54cms/1" apart.
The reservoir in the photo is filled to the Maximum level.
Note: entire system holds 1.25 Liters of fluid

1993 SL pump


2000 SL pump

[maxwellgolf]

Can anybody help up to the pass window regulater going faulty the roof worked fine Replaced regulater now the rear plastic window section does not close ALL WORKS FINE WHEN OPENING. if you push it down it does lock into place but the red light stays on and you get a bong for ten secs when driving. . the windows do not work in the closed positon

[RedLiner]

Originally Posted by morriswu

Hi RedLiner,
How do you think the color of the hydraulic fluid? isn't it dirty?

I'm not sure what the brand or grade of hydraulic fluid is, however (touching every piece of wood in sight) it stays up to level and none of the cylinders leak.
It's probably just the colour of that brand of liquid because I can't see how dirt could get into the system.

I got a full service history when I bought the car with every service record and all receipts for work carried out. I'll browse through it all and see if there is any record of the soft top hydraulics just out of interest.

[bobterry99]

Originally Posted by maxwellgolf

...now the rear plastic window section does not close ALL WORKS FINE WHEN OPENING. if you push it down it does lock into place but the red light stays on and you get a bong for ten secs when driving.

I would guess that the soft top compartment cover is not closing completely; or if it is, the top controller is not being signaled. The signal comes from a switch on the right-side latch (picture) that is wired to the #7 socket of the large electrical connector on the top controller. It should short to ground when the cover is closed. You can check that with a basic multimeter, an LED, or test light, etc.