Check the main (roof circuit) 40 amp fuse under the fuse cover - No. 23 or 24 I think - clearly marked on list

If that fuse is blown, look for a reason - mine was stiff hinges

Oberoi

 

Oberoi,

Thanks for the suggestion! I checked but that was not the case.

Anyone have any idea where I should start my search?

The #7 5A fuse blows when I put the key in and turn the 2nd click.

 

I really don't know the answer to your problem, but I would be willing to help you figure it out.

Do you notice anything else not working? Does your car run ok? Can you shift it into reverse? Does the fuse only blow when the parking brake is on, or does it blow all the time. Do your reverse lights come on when you put the care in reverse? Since the fuse description sounds like it controls mostly the things in your center console, I would assume you need to look for problem there.

My caveat is that I have only driven my SLK for a day, so I may not be the right person to be listening to.

 

You can also do it manually from the trunk by releasing the allen screw (on the pump reservoir) a bit (not too much) then push it back up & lock it. The manual should tell you how to get it done.

I've done it 1 or 2 times :thumbsup:

 

Do you have anything plugged into your cigarette lighter?

 

The car has been running good fine and I have yet to have a problem with it.

It is stored in the winters and to be honest I have only had it out about a month. I was in the process of gathering oil and filter to do change the oil and it just quit.

Nothing is plugged into the 12v lighter plug. Come to think of it I don't think it ever has.

The reverse lights come on as normal.

The #7 fuse blows as soon as the car is put into the 2nd click position with the key (acc.) it happens with the parking brake on/off.

The transmission does seem to know it is in P/R/N/D (shows which gear in the gauge cluster)

I think the problem could be with a short somewhere around soft top controller or the transmission park/reverse lock? But I really don't know?

Thanks for the help with the thought train and keep it comming if you have any new ideas!!

Cameron

 

This may be a long shot but I had a similar experience where it turned out to be the fan sitting under the controller/fuse box in engine compartment. Took a shop a looong time to diagnose and find the problem and the fan was fried!

My problem started when the roof didn't respond - no light at switch. I plan to post more shop details soon.

 

Was the fan shorted and causing the fuse to blow? I still haven't found the issue yet, but need to soon as it is getting cold here in Michigan and the SLK likes to hibernate with the top up.

hanzbenz thanks for the info I will look into that tonight! Any more info you can provide would be greatly appreciated! Was it a mouse that chewed a wire? There is minute evidence of a mouse while in the possession the previous owner and I am not totally sure where the little bugger could have been/chewed.

Anyone know the software that is used to diagnose Mercedes? I have access to VAGCOM software, but it seems as that is VW/Seat/Skoda.

Thanks!

Cameron

 

Ah, a Mouse helps this make more sense. A Broken wire is the most obvious cause for a short. Do you know where the mouse nested? If you could find some kind of indication, it would help you figure out where to start your search.

Is there any other problem with your car? Do you door locks work? Do you windows roll up?

The fact the fuse blows as soon as the car is turned on makes the problem a little tougher to solve. If it was tied to the top switch, you think it would only blow when you closed the circuit (pressed the switch) That makes me think it is not the switch. The reverse lock is only suppose to engage at about 2.5 miles an hour, so I wouldn't think it is that either. What else does fuse 7 control?

According to the posts, Carsoft seems to be a good tool to access the Benz's computer. They say you can buy a copy off of a world famous auction site. The key is you buy a Multiplexer version, or you have to check each controller seperatley (And there are a bunch of them) A multiplexer checks all the controllers automatically but is more expensive. From what I read, a multiplexer is the way to go.

 

No, they're coming down in price, I've bought one from a seller in Atlanta for $119 and it comes in a nice carry case. It plugs into the OBD2 port and I think it diagnose 9 or 10 different controller. Also provides live data and allows you to reset engine and gearbox adaptations. I've used mine to diagnose problems on my ESP/BAS and it worked perfectly.

Also used it to code in my CD player on the DB2 network. I had fitted the CD player later and it worked fine, but Carsoft identified that the DB2 configuration did not correspond with the actual equipment on the ring.

 

I was putting my top down today, windows went down and back opened roof would not go back so I was closing it back and will not lock into position had to press on outside trunk area to get it in place a fluid was comibg diwn windows and on ceiling of roof. Could the hydrolics hose bust. Dry rot. It is a 2002 slk 320 roadster. Can someone help me?

 

Probably the locking cylinder, located above the ceiling , has lost its shaft seal.

If the plastic roof liner has sagged and a bubbly surface and the hydraulic oil level in the tank in the trunk is down this is almost certainly the cause. There are good kits with instructions available on ebay to fix the problem and there is lots of info on this forum. I repaired mine a few months ago with a kit and it's working fine.

After the seal repair you will probably have to replace the roof liner. I used black woven fabric for my new liner - if the cylinder leaks again I will pick the leak up much more quickly and the liner might be salvageable .

 

I opened my roof and it wouldn't close back up . Still in trunk. Reservoir was empty filled it again and went empty. I noticed on a pieces of card board that was on the trunk floor had a wet spot that must have come from a roof part. I have a 1998 SLK 230 model 170. Any ideas on which item went bad.