Problems with 129 300 SL power top

[Beerman8]

Anyone got any idea as to what can be done with the 129 power top. Mine is giving me heaps of problems. When it has the hard top on, it seems fine, and sometimes it will unlatch the hard top when I want, other times I have to unlatch the rear catches manually. The soft top will never raise, even the soft top cover remains down, although there is some movement of the soft top caprtment cover trying to open. When I take the hard top off and drive topless, I get teh warning bong bong bong, constantly, any suggestions anyone?

[Carlos Serrano]

check your fluid reservoir under the spare tire.

[tecqboy]

You need to do a forum search. There is ever so much info on the soft top controller ( computer ) and how to read out and reset the error codes. The error codes will guide to where your problem is. There are several error codes which can cause the problem you describe. Use "soft top" key word.

[bobterry99]

Here's the procedure that tecqboy mentioned. You'll need a paper clip or a wire -- no code reader of any kind.

The code retrieval method for the top controller as described here works for cars produced through 12/93. A similar procedure can be used for cars produced from 1/94 through 8/95.

The diagnostics are wired to sockets of the car's main "diagnostic connector", X11/4. These are numbered from 1 to 16. The top control system diagnostic is socket #10.

Codes must be read one at a time. That is, you ask the system to issue a code, you read the code, you ask for another code, and so on. You ask a particular system for a code by electrically shorting the diagnostic socket to ground for 2 to 4 seconds. A second or two after the short is removed, a series of electrical pulses will appear at the socket. The number of pulses corresponds to the number of a code. The ignition must be switched-on for this process.

There are many ways to view the pulses for counting and reading codes. The simplest method is to watch the lamp inside the top switch flash. This is possible because one side of the lamp is wired to the diagnostic socket for the top control system.

Once you have read all of the codes, you may wish to go back and erase them. They are erased individually one at a time. To do this, read a code, wait a few seconds, and then short the diagnostic socket to ground for 6 to 8 seconds.