Strange problems Please help

hello!

I own a 1992 300SL, I got the car second hand and i noticed a couple of problems. I hope you guys could help me out..

1) The driver and passenger side door locks automatically open after hard braking or if the rollbar automatically engages... it seems that the locks are either haunted or are too sensitive??
Also, the door locks do not automatically close when the car is being driven.

2) the central vacum locking system is not working.. the previous owner cut the vacum line in the center glove compartment and stuffed it with a screw...argh.. I can hear the vacum pump whirring whenever i lock or unlock the car or use the lock beside the spectable compartment... but still all the compartments (door armrests, etc) that require vacum locking, dont engage when i try to lock them.

3) When the softop is on, there are anodized flaps that are opened behind the driver and passenger seat. The problem is that the rollbar rubs on the passenger side flap and its annoying and damages the leather... any fix?

Please give me some advice on how to solve these problems.

also, is there any workshop manual or parts cd out for this type of SL?

thanks so much!

[dennis300sl]

SLeeper,

You can order the repair manual for your car by calling the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes.
The part number is P-2700-129-04 and the retail price is US $149.00.
Please be advised that this is a DVD-Rom as the amount of data collected for your model exceeded the space on a CD-ROM.


Dennis

[tecqboy]

I own a 1991 300SL. I'm the 3rd owner. Here's what I know. The door locks don't auto engage when the car starts moving like many modern cars do. This may have changed in later years.

It takes a really hard impact or shake to make my roll bar pop. It's only happened once when I hit a curb avoiding a collision: scared the heck out of me. If yours comes up easily, it's out of adjustment. I don't believe the door locks should open on a hard stop. This is no doubt related to your other vacuun problems.

Those flaps behind the doors are adjustable. There are screws inside that allow for some minor positioning. But it is also possible that the top deployment mechanism is out of adjustment. I broke one of those flaps when my top folded the wrong way due to a screw head breaking off. The hinges and pivots of the mechanism need to be well lubricated with white grease or similar. If it binds, you'll have all kinds of problems.

If the vacuum hose has a "block", just reconnect to the lock. The actuators in the doors are the most frequent failures and can be the source of a leak. In the truck is a manifold / router from which vacuum is distibuted. With a vacuum guage, check to see if the system holds vacuum. If you have a hand pump vacuum guage, you can check each hose leaving the manifold to track down a leak. You can also use the pump to excercise any suspect bad actuator or vacuum motor; a good tool to own and not expensive.

thanks for the reply!

so i would have to trace every single vacum line to diagnose the problem? I always thought that the inside door locks were electronic (like normal cars)...didnt realize that they were vacum operated like the locks on the various compartments...

as for the rollbar, is there a way to adjust its sensitivity? might it have something to do with the previous owner upgrading the magwheel size to 18in AMG's from the original 16's? any parts i have to replace? sensors,etc?

[bwheitman]

Sounds like you are having fun!
Regarding your vacuum locks keep in mind that these cars have a central locking system, that is what locks the center console, the phone cabinet in the dash, the side door pockets (in earlier models) and the cup holder-cassette storage compartment. My locks were not working properly when I purchased my 96 SL320, I had to trace them down and figure out what was wrong, it was a mis-aligned silenoid in the console due to the installation of an FM transciever for a satellite radio. It takes a lot of time to figure these things out, just take your time and look around.
I understand that in the event of an accident the car will unlock the doors several seconds after, this is to make it easy for someone to get you out if you are knocked out, so if your roll-bar is popping up, this may be your car thinking "accident" and then seconds later unlocking the doors. Check the switches located on the lower control arm of the rear suspension, this is where the computer gets the idea from, you may be correct about the larger tires, but that should not make a difference unless the car was lowered, or springs are fatigued. Good luck with your car! they are a joy to drive, but require lots of patience!
Regards,
Brian

hmm it seems patience is the right word

as for the springs part, hmm interesting idea there. actually im wondering if the car has dead springs or has been lowered since it looks like it and not just because i have 18's on them..

any idea how much the rollbar sensors cost? there are 2 of them right?