how to get soft top error codes?

[coyote]

Hello

I recently purchased a 1990 500SL hard/soft top. I have been researching here on soft top problems because I can't seem to get the power soft top to function. I can get it to "power lock" into place once I have manually colsed the top, but it won't open or close on its own when pushing the power top button.
I think I should start by finding the error codes for the power top but am uncertain where to start and how to obtain them.

Thank you for any guidance

My first Benz so I'm kind of green still.

[LeaUK]

Welcome to the SL forum I niced example I see....

Do a search on this forum as this has been covered multiple times with detailed instruction. But from memory (I haven't tried this) the codes can be either retrieved from the 34pin diag connector pin 21 -

make the flasher unit as described on Jim's site here:http://pages.prodigy.net/jforgione/MB_X11.html


or I believe on some R129 models the same flashing codes can be extracted by the red lamp within the roof switch, I think you hold it forward or backwards (can't remember which) for a period of time and it may start flashing.

Count the flashes and post back here, someone may have the list of codes to help.

Lea

[bobterry99]

As Lea mentioned, the lamp in the top switch blinks-out codes (up to 12/93). It is explained here.

[coyote]

That probably explains why it blinks when I pull back on it.
Like I said ......first Benz so I'll be a little ignorant on some of the features for a bit. Took me a week just to find out thte color was Anthracite Gray

Getting the inner tie rods replaced today but when I get it back I'll check to see how many times it blinks. Any recommendation how long to hold it for (I think I read somewhere here that 80 seconds should do it)? Will it stop after the blinking code is complete?

[LeaUK]

Bob

The referenced post points to pin 10 but my documentation says pin 21 - am I missing something here?

Lea

[bobterry99]

Lea: 500SLs with CFI have the 16-pole connector. On your car it would be socket #21.

Coyote: you don't need to push on the switch for up to 80 seconds. In fact, don't bother to push on it at all. Your switch is flashing, so the controller has stored a code. Follow the link to the instructions in my previous post. Generally, you short socket #10 to chassis ground for 2 to 4 seconds and watch the switch flash.

[LeaUK]

As soon as I re-read my post I guessed the answer... Thanks for confirmation though.

Seems like I can't use the led to read codes on my 97 SL600 but can I wipe out (reset) what's in there?

[bobterry99]

I believe you need an advanced scan tool to reset the codes on '96 and newer cars. The cheapest device I know of is the AST Retriever, and it costs over $2K. A good independent should reset your codes for little or nothing.

[LeaUK]

Has anyone run the Carsoft kit on their SL yet? I'm interested in this:

http://www.minsk555.narod.ru/mers.htm

[coyote]

OK
First of all thanks for all the help in my quest to resolve the function of my power top.

I connected socket 10 and 1 for about 3 seconds and then released to retrieve the error code (then repeated) and the power top switch flashed 10, 11, 29, and 30 times. I assume that this would be error code #10, 11, 29 and 30 (correct?) Any recomendations as to what these error codes are and what steps to take next? Should I now reset the error codes from the system?

[deanyel]

Yes, those are the fault codes, as follows:

10 - Limit switch, left front locked, soft top
11 - Limit switch, right front locked, soft top
29 - no axle vehicle wheel speed sensor signal
30 - soft top operation blocked

You should erase them all and see what comes back.

[coyote]

Erased all of them and all 4 came back.
Will I need to repair these items at the shop or can some of it be done by oneself with limited abilities.

[bobterry99]

This is an improbable combination of codes to have occur in a common time frame. Are you sure that you previously erased the codes? You know that you have them all erased when a "read" comes back with a single flash.

[coyote]

My apologies...... you were 100% correct bobterry99. I did not have the codes properly erased. I now have them properly cleared and now have a read of a single flash.
I heard what sounded to be some type of motor noise from the trunk area when I cleared the last of the codes. I'm wondering if this is a good thing
Do I now attempt to use the power top or are there other steps to be taken.

Thank you again....this is GREATLY appreciated.