96 SL320 Hard top Chimes

[bwheitman]

Funny problem, When I go over big bumps, or back out the driveway at an angle, I get a chiming sound, I didn't know what it was at first and then noticed the soft top switch lighting up. It only does it when the hard top is mounted. Is this normal? Any ideas on what I should check first? The car has never been in an accident, but had the windshield replaced. All the top controls function properly. Thanks for your help!
Brian

[tecqboy]

Does the light stay "on" or does it flash out a code?

[bwheitman]

It doesn't stay on, just for a minute, like if I am backing out of the drive and I turn the car at a steep angle the thing chimes and the light comes on. After I get the car leveled out again it goes out. It is the same thing that happens if your at a stoplight and putting your top up or down and you start moving, it is that alarm. I think there is a latch that is maybe losing it's grip? Then when the body flexes, it becomes lose? If that is the case then it is the potential that the latch will fail. None of them leak or malfunction, but it could be a switch in one of the latches?
Brian

[Kebowers]

the intermittent nature indicates either a lock/latch is not quite in place, or the microswitch that senses its position is not adjusted or sensing the position properly.

[matt white]

Hi I had this problem with my '91 300SL. (This, I believe, is a warning chime to say the roof is not completely locked down, so not to drive). Inside the boot, at the top of the back wall both sides, there are the locking levers behind plastic covers. I had already locked the hard top down when the chime started when driving. I used the manual closing tool to lift the left lever one click, then clicking down again whilst leaning down on that corner of the roof at the base just above the boot. Get someone else to push down whilst you click down with the tool. I repeated this on the right side and it did the trick, no problems since, although I have not taken the hard top off since. Good luck, I hope this helps you-Matt

[bwheitman]

Thanks Matt, I removed my hard top and checked everything out hte best I could. Then this morning on the way to work I was going around a curve, hit a bump and the thing started chiming and the switch was blinking. It did not stop until I hit another bump, so I am going to take a look in the boot behind the trim like you said and see if there is a sensor switch or something out of adjustment. It is ok when I am in the car, but with a passenger they start freaking out, ha ha.. Thanks again everyone!
Brian

hello Have you solved this problem? my 92 300SL also suffers from the same ailment. its very annoying to say the least

[tecqboy]

You can find out which switch or switches are not latching properly by reading out the error codes from the top controller computer. There is a connector/socket under the hood where you can connect a simple home made switch to activate and read out the errors. Do a search in the Sl forum on top controller error codes. The lamp blinks a certain number of times for a particular switch or problem. I fixed mine after determining which switch was loose.

[bwheitman]

I have not solved the problem yet, but I talked with a technician and he told me to do the following. The car usually chimes while it is at an angle with the hard top only, so in your driveway replicate the angle that causes the alarm to sound, put the car in park and turn it off, apply the brake. Then get out of the car and inspect all four lock locations, determine the lock that is not completly tight, this will be evident by a gap. I have determined that the lock that is failing is on my rear passenger side. I first noticed a clicking sound after any top activity in that region, I guess it was the lock not holding pressure. So I have ordered a new lock and I will install it when it arrives. Good luck!
Brian