The skyview on our 1999 ML430 has stopped working - and what's worse, it's stuck in an almost closed position :o(
The local dealership tells us it's a $6K repair (!) Basically they need to replace the whole roof ($3½K) and it takes several days to do it (labor = $2½K). Needless to say, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to spend that kind of money on it. On the other hand, with the sunroof not working, who would want to buy it?
Other than this we have never had an issue with the car and we really like it.
Does anyone have a suggestion as to what to do? We live in the S.F. Bay Area.
I'm not sure how to do that on the skyview, but I doubt it. The verdict was that several parts were broken and that it had to be replaced entirely. If only I could find the roof 3rd party (or used) and have a local mechanic do it in his spare time... Sigh!
You should try to get it closed before it rained on unless you plan to keep it garaged.
The Emergency/Manual Operation of Sliding/Pop-Up Roof is on page 129 in my 99 owner's manual. Incase you don't have it, here it is:
The sliding/pop-up drive is located behind the cover between the front interior lamps.
Open the cover by using a flat blade screw driver at top edge.
Obtain hand crank (looks like a straighten "z") and insert in hexagon drive hole, located at rear end of the open cover. Push handle up to disengage the motor.
Those are the instructions for the normal sliding/popup roof. He has the Skyview roof. The Skyview drive is accessed in a similar way, but it's under a cover in the rear of the car. Check in your manual - the instructions are there.
Looking in the WIS, there are a few things that can go wrong:
1. Control cable failure
2. Guide tube for the control cable
3. The drive
4. The mechanical system
5. Roof seal (not likely your problem)
6. Individual lamellas can fail
What happens when you press the controls? Can you hear anything?
How likely is it that the entire thing would work one day and fail the next though? I wonder if the dealer is taking a chance by advising that the entire roof must be replaced. Did they do a diagnosis at all?
Welcome to the club. I have a 99 320 and damn near killed the guy who sold it to me. That's neither here nor there. O.K. here is what you have to do.
There is a light panel in the rear of the truck (open the hatch and look up once inside the truck)
CAREFULLY!!! Let me say that again CAREFULLY take the panel off. Make sure you are mindful of the front and rear clips. Althoug they wont break if they get too bent out of shape it'll be another problem to add to the roof errors.
Disconnect the light connector (its a pop-off connector)
Now when inside the panel to the left (drivers side) you will see a silver bar, this is the crank. Take it out as well as the yellowish key. Place the key in the square hole and it works as a lock place the crank in the whole it fits in and cranks away in a counter clockwise motion.
You may want to open it sum then start to close it.
My roof took a horrible turn and the first metal track connector snapped completely apart. So the front panel never completely closed, it even flapped open when driving at high speeds.
I tried to measure it our for a complete sunroof, mathematically it works with 1.5inch plexi BUT I didnt take into consideration direct sunlight, thank goodness someone suggested it to me before I took that roof off. My fix actually worked a little better. Since I would almost never use the roof I decided completely closing it would be best. So I fashioned 5 aluminum braces. One the length of the first panel and 4 - 5x5 minis. I then drilled 20 holes (10 first in the rear side 10 on the second on the front side), BE SURE NOT TO DRILL TO FAR. I then riveted the longest aluminum sheet to the panels. Be sure to water seal the fashioned panel on all edges and in EACH rivet. Then do the same for the 4 remaining braces placing two between panel 2 and 3 then in the rear panel (this will keep it from shifting backward).
The only reason I did this this way was if I decided to ever have the roof changed it would not effect the truck in any way. All modifications were made directly to the panels and not to the truck. I am 6' and I can't see the difference in the panels and the braces (be sure to get black rivets, which is damn near impossible here).
I just got my camera back from Sony repair and I didnt get back my memory card (2GB memory stick duo, those bastards). I swear I am done buying anything that has a M in its name. Heads up to forum don't buy a Sony M1 Camara- looks cool doesn't last too long. Once I pick up a mem stick I will take pics and post them. Good Luck!
I would recommend getting an extended warranty as soon as possible. My 1999 ML 430 is in the shop for the second time in a month and it saved my a&^. Last bill was $5400 for new locks on three doors, front transfer case + labor... $100 deductible and I was happy .
After they replaced the Balancer on recall they now found that one of the other pulleys is going south.
Wolf
__________________
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former
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Who did you use for an extended warranty. Also, after speaking with Warrenty Direct I learned that the roof would not be covered for repair.
I once read on here that its better off to just save a regular amount every month as a precaution. It works out better and if you dont use it you can use it as a downpayment for the AMG 164 WHOA!
Every lamina roof has had problems or will have problems. Dealers trading these ML's always pay lots less for ones with the roof. They are a negative and not very much in demand due to repair frequency and cost. They were also discontinued for that reason although MB will not tell you that. The official line is they won't fit with the curtain air bags. My advice let the dealer fix it and then dump it.
Thanks all - this really sucks The dealer has taken a thorough look and claims it's a $6K job :o( I managed to get it almost closed (one panel is still "off" but duct tape did the job). I wonder if a non-authorized shop would do this (with used parts)? I called a couple and they didn't even want to take a look. Any chance MBUSA will help out (I'd be highly surprised)?
I very much doubt we will ever buy a MB again - sigh... [xx(]
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