[chezy32]

can anyone help me i have a 94 sl280 i have had it for a while an asked a while back how to get roof to work did whwt i was told now here is the prob the hard top will not release from the back end of the car i have manually released the fron with the alan keys but when i pull the red button back it will not release the roof just comes up a touch then tightens again is there any way to take the hard top off manually or any help you could give would be helpfull

 

[RKH]

chezy32, there is a special tool and instruction in the owner's manual for unlocking the Top latches. If you don't have the manual, you can download one from the 'sticky' above in this Forum. The tool should be in your tool kit.

If everything fails, you can access the rear latches from the trunk by removing the carpeted panels.

 

[aam]

Get the tool that RKH mentions.
Have someone in the car pushing the button while you work the lock
cylinders in the trunk.
Regards.
aam.

 

[lynns]

Please read the third Blue Sticky at the top of the R129 Home page and see
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129-sl-class/1324795-r129-soft-top-controller-ultimate-thread.html and
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r12...op-hydraulic-system-ultimate.html#post2262978

I suggest that you build or buy a Code Reader and erase your Diagnostic Trouble Codes, as shown above, several times then read then read the DTC's and look at the PDF below. In the process of erasing the codes you may fix your problem or find out what the problem is.

I think it has already been said but it is very important that your battery be strong. I always remove, pop my hard top off, when the engine is running out of the garage. Likewise I always activate my soft top, for either up or down, with the engine running. And I NEVER stop the action in the middle of it's cycle.

I have found that if I start to take the hard or soft off and don't follow through by continuing to hold the switch until it has completed it's cycle then there are limit switches that send confusing information to the controller and the Trouble Codes need to be erased.

You may also want to lubrirate the rear latches, with molly grease, when all is said and done. No WD40.

 

[rfulangel]

remove spare tire, then the plastic tray, and you will see the hydraulic resevoir for the top. Check level, you might be low on fluid. Next, in your tool pouch, you should find a flat wrench. Look on the back wall of the trunk, and you will see two little carpeted covers. Remove these and insert wrench to disengage latches manually. Hope this helps!

 

[RKH]

By the way, if your hydraulic fluid in the tank is not at full, then you have a leak somewhere (or had one some time ago, but if the old leak had been fixed, then the tank should have been topped up also). So low fluid is not good news.

Like Lynn says : it is a good idea to operate the soft top with the engine running (to give the pump/motor more juice).
I also had no problem stopping the top operation in mid-cycle to inspect the cylinders for leaks, then resume to complete the cycle. (NOTE : I did not stop mid-way and then reverse the cycle, just resume to complete the cycle).