90 500SL Need Help

[captgm]

I just bought a 90 500SL. The car it's self is in good shape with 114000 miles. The last owner had a friend try to put a new radio in and pretty much screwed up the electrical systems. I've been reading about resetting the codes. Is this the best place to start after testing the fuses?. The hard top is on the car latched to the windshield and up in the back. Can I manually remove the hard top? Everything on the instrument cluster is flashing and nothing works. Windows, top and seats don't work. The car starts and runs and head lights tail lights, turn signals, brake lights, horn and windshield wiper all work. I would like to know where to start. I will check all the fuses first, then what? What's the best repair manual for 500SL and where do I get one. I also need the owners manual.
Thanks. Glen

[tecqboy]

Be sure to check the fuses in the trunk....right side near hinge. They are for windows, top hydraulic pump, and security.

[Tims450SL]

slowly post questions, and they will be taken care of. My SL is running excellent, and the support here is second to none!

[tswafford]

Are you aware of the switch on the console? It is lit and only works for about 15-20 sec after the key is turned on (not started). Pull it back to release the top. Reverse directions to fasten the top. (never get anyones fingers between the top and the body when fastening.

Fuses are always a good place to start. I did not find the fuses in the trunk for a year after buying my 91 300 sl. Best buy had significant problems with installing a new Alpine radio. After practically rewiring the speaker system, they found a factory amplifier in the right quarter panel of the rear area.

Tom

[aam]

Originally Posted by captgm

I just bought a 90 500SL. The car it's self is in good shape with 114000 miles. The last owner had a friend try to put a new radio in and pretty much screwed up the electrical systems. I've been reading about resetting the codes. Is this the best place to start after testing the fuses?. The hard top is on the car latched to the windshield and up in the back. Can I manually remove the hard top? Everything on the instrument cluster is flashing and nothing works. Windows, top and seats don't work. The car starts and runs and head lights tail lights, turn signals, brake lights, horn and windshield wiper all work. I would like to know where to start. I will check all the fuses first, then what? What's the best repair manual for 500SL and where do I get one. I also need the owners manual.
Thanks. Glen

Hi Glen, the owner manual can be downloaded free from.
benzword.org (129 forum)
alldata.diy.com subscribe.$25
Or cd from Mercedes.
In the tool bag you have a box wrench with the Allen key on the other end this is for the top, to lock down.
With key on, or engine running but not in gear.
Push up on the red button and hold the windows should come down, if not lower them, the system checks for that,if not nothing moves.
The top should come up.
The button has a light in it if it flashes it is sending you a code.
No you can't lift the top with out taking a lot of things
apart.
In your case you say the back is up you can try to push the button down to lock the back side.
You may have leaking lock cylinders.
Under the spare tire is the hydraulic pump for the top check if it has oil in it if not get some Mercedes hydraulic top fluid only.
The fuses for the seats, top, windows are in the trunk
Right upper side behind a small plastic cover.
check the 30 amp fuse is looking like a small metal strip,
Ck the other fuses too.

As for the front of your car/ radio etc, check fuse 8 and 9 or 10.
check and come back for more.
Regards,
aam.
PS. is the radio working at list?

[bobterry99]

Originally Posted by captgm

What's the best repair manual for 500SL and where do I get one.

The best by far is a DVD available in the U.S. from Mercedes-Benz: http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/outside/8002/?requestedDocId=8002. You want the one for the "129" chassis. It should cost around $80.

[ctaylor738]

Being cheap, I have been getting along reasonably well with alldatadiy for $25 a year.

Good luck, sounds like you have your hands full.

[bobterry99]

Originally Posted by ctaylor738

Being cheap, I have been getting along reasonably well with alldatadiy for $25 a year.

The OP asked for the best manual. But if someone is looking for the cheapest, then the WIS for a one-time $20 or less is the way to go.

[ctaylor738]

What is it about the Startek CD that makes it 3x better than alldatadiy?

I haven't tried the 129 CD, but I do own the 107, 114, 124 CD's.

I like alldatadiy because of the Search, and not needing a CD to use it.

[bobterry99]

Originally Posted by ctaylor738

What is it about the Startek CD that makes it 3x better than alldatadiy?

The R129 DVD from M-B has information that is unavailable from Alldata, so you could find yourself in a situation where it is infinitely better. In particular it includes the Electrical Troubleshooting Manual with descriptions of the electrical signals at every pin on every electronic module. This is particularly important when maintaining an electronics-intensive car like the 129.

Among the options for technical information on the R129 Alldata has the least amount of information and in the long-run it is the most expensive.

The R129 DVD can be copied to a hard drive and run without the disk. This is probably only true with the older, Windows XP version, however.

[ctaylor738]

Your information about alldatadiy is incorrect.

The subscription absolutely does include the 129 ETM with wiring diagrams, locations, connector diagrams, and the test values for the control units' pins. I used it this weekend to track down a problem with the Base Module in my SL500.

It also has all the Technical Service Bulletins, diagnostic codes, vacuum diagrams, the shop hours for most repairs, and some parts prices. Personally, I find alldatdiy better organized and easier to use than the CD's (using the 107 CD as a comparison), and so far I have no complaints about the information.

[bobterry99]

Originally Posted by ctaylor738

Your information about alldatadiy is incorrect.

I believe you are right. My perception of Alldata was based upon: (1) my use of it briefly 7 years ago, (2) reading on a forum that it was based upon WIS, and (3) questions I have gotten from frustrated Alldata users who were looking for information that could be found on the DVD but not on the Alldata service. From what you write, Alldata content would seem to be equal or even better than the DVD.

[bobterry99]

A Windows version of Alldata may be downloaded and used for free as explained here: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129-sl-class/1363762-alldata-mercedes-benz-download-details.html. I installed it on my PC. The download is slow and it took quite some time.

For someone who is not on a tight budget and who is going to be accessing manuals often I still would recommend the $80 DVD from Mercedes. Compared to this Windows version of Alldata the DVD schematics are much easier to use and read. The DVD is better organized too, I think. Also, much of the Alldata content looks as if it has been poorly scanned from M-B documents. The attached screenshot is typical. But the Alldata app has good technical coverage and can adequately meet anyone's needs.

[ctaylor738]

First, this is not at all "typical" of the internet subscription. I'm not sure what the benzworld stuff is, but it certainly bears no resemblance to the online version. I've attached a couple of shots from the 129 subscription, alternator R/R. You need to expand them to full screen size. The blue boxes are links to other instructions in the subscription.

Again, I would urge you to examine the real deal before you pass judgments like this. I am not in any way shape or form and alldata advocate, but I do feel they deserve an apples-to-apples comparison.

If you feel like it, send me an email and we can arrange temporary access to my account.

Second, we need to be careful about promoting downloads of what may be pirated copyrighted material. I'm not sure how these files ended up on BT-Torrent, but it sure looks fishy to me.

[bobterry99]

Originally Posted by ctaylor738

First, this is not at all "typical" of the internet subscription. I'm not sure what the benzworld stuff is, but it certainly bears no resemblance to the online version...

If you feel like it, send me an email and we can arrange temporary access to my account.

I have realized that the internet version may be different from the Alldata version I evaluated. You mentioned liking the "search" feature of Alldatadiy, and there is nothing of the sort in the Windows version. But if I had to I would guess that the two version are closer than you think. The alternator R&R instruction pages on the version I downloaded appear identical to your screenshots.

Chuck, I'll send you an email and arrange for temporary access to your Alldatadiy. I'll follow-up with an objective evaluation that compares it with the other R129 technical resources with which I am familiar.