Soft Top Motor Running, Won't Go Down

[dallas_sl500]

12 hours ago my soft top was working fine.

Now:

When I try to put the top down it cycles perfectly until after the front latches release above the windshield. I can hear the motor running, but it seems to hang and the top will not go back.

I have been playing with it all day and I did get it to go down once. But then it wouldn't go down right after that.

I have never heard of this problem before and I am searching the forums, but so far nothing.

PLEASE. Does anyone have any idea what this might be?

[dallas_sl500]

I just checked my hydraulic fluid and it is just above the Min line. As it is still above it would this affect anything? I can not find any signs of a leak.

[cigarracer]

I had a siimilar problem recently. What I found was that there is a pressure set screw in the resevoir tank that backed off. Once it was reset by a local hydraulic shop it worked great. The dealer told me to replace the pump for $2,500 dollars.

Cigar Racer
1998 500 SL

[SoCalSun]

I had the same problem with mine while still under warranty. After trial and error replacements, the dealer replaced the hydraulic pump and that finally fixed the problem. Haven't had a problem with it for 2 years now. Also note that the motor that raises and lowers the top overheats after a few consecutive uses and will stop working until it cools off. Raise and lower it and let it rest before doing it again when you're testing it out. Hopefully, you're still under warranty!

[dallas_sl500]

I just took my car into the mechanic today. He found that the driver's side front switch was out of alignment. Even though the front was releasing the car was sometimes seeing that the top was still attached.

He adjusted the switch and everything is fine now. Cost was 3 hours labor ($255.00).

Compared to what it could have been I am relieved.