500sl Soft Top And Roll Bar - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

arr320 · #16 08-28-2002, 06:31 AM

Eli thanks for the advice, but that was one of the first things that I check.

Bobterry99, the test for the roll bar did not work. I will try again to see if I mist some thing.

Thanks for the instructions, but I wasn’t able to run the test because the system is acting up again. The switch is constantly on when I attempt to Jump #1 and #10 it just brightens up and stays on after, nothing else. No response what so ever.

I can’t locate connector X11/12, what I see is one red connector, a small one with just 4 open sockets, and three that are connected to two computers.

bobterry99 · #17 08-28-2002, 12:19 PM

The X11/12 connector is very small. It is square and has just four sockets. It seems you have located it.

Now let me see if I have something right. The lamp in the soft top switch is on all the time (indicating a limit switch is in the wrong position). You connect a jumper between socket #1 and #10 for two to four seconds. While the connection is made the lamp in the switch brightens (as it should since the "switched" side of the lamp is being connected directly to ground through your jumper instead of a low-resistance path through the controller). When the jumper is removed the lamp dims slightly but remains on constantly and never goes off completely to give a code?

arr320 · #18 08-28-2002, 12:41 PM

Yes, that is exact what I am getting from the system.
I have located the X11/12 connector, it was staring right at me the whole time, I feel really stupid now.

bobterry99 · #19 08-28-2002, 12:56 PM

Well, it is obvious that your method for extracting codes is correct. You may as well proceed with the procedure of jumpering X11/12 for checking the limit switches. But if your controller is not blinking out codes for you, you surely won't gain anything. Your fall-back will be to check each of the limit switch circuits at the soft top controller's "Y" connector (the "other" method posted above). It's very easy, and if you choose to do so I can help.

arr320 · #20 08-28-2002, 01:06 PM

Please help! If you could please post info on how to do the system check.

bobterry99 · #21 08-28-2002, 03:26 PM

You will be checking continuity between the limit switches wired to the "Y" connector to the soft top controller and chassis ground. If you are uncertain how to check continuity in these circuits, email me and I will communicate with you outside of this forum.

To access, open the storage compartment behind the passenger seat. Remove the plastic cover that protects the soft top controller by loosening three 10mm plastic nuts. The "Y" connector is the long black one (there are two others as well -- the "X" and "Z" connectors). Now remove the two 10mm nuts that are securing the controller and lift it off of its mounting studs. Now you should be able to easily separate the "X" connector from the controller.

Looking at the connector you will see two rows of sockets numbered sequentially. Nearly all of these are discrete circuits wired to limit switches. You proceed by putting the top in "Position 1" and checking all the switches and then repeating the same for "Position 2". Have the ignition off while you perform your checks. The following data describes the state you should find for the specified sockets. Note that you only need to check 17 sockets.

Position 1 (Top closed, windows up, roll bar up)
Open: 10, 22, 27, 29, 30, 31
Closed: 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28

Position 2 (Top open but compartment cover open, windows and roll bar down
Open: 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28
Closed: 10, 22, 27, 29, 30, 31

I suspect you will find at least one of your inputs does not agree with the above. If so, post your findings and I will describe a specific procedure to troubleshoot the circuit(s).

arr320 · #22 08-28-2002, 04:47 PM

Well, I did the test that you suggested, For position 2 (top open) every thing checks good. For position 1 (top close) socket #17 and #23 is not closed. What dos this mean?

bobterry99 · #23 08-28-2002, 09:46 PM

The soft top controller is not receiving a signal that the soft top is completely latched at the windshield. And it is not receiving a signal that the retention bow (rear part of the fabric top) is lowered.

Socket 23 is wired directly to a microswitch on the retention bow left side latch. There are two switches on the latch. The first one closes when the bow contacts the latch and is clearly audible when it opens/closes. The second switch closes when the latch locks. Socket 23 is wired to the first switch. The two switches share a common electrical connector which is mounted on the latch mechanism.

I would proceed by examining the latch and looking for anything obvious. You will need to remove the trunk lining on the left side for clear access. Simulate the bow lowering to contact the latch by pressing down slightly on it with a screwdriver and listen for the click. If you find nothing wrong and socket 23 is still not closing to ground, then you can isolate the problem as being with the switch or the associated wiring to the "Y" connector.

To do this, remove the 4-socket connector from the latch mechanism. The sockets are labeled: "2" is wired directly to socket 23 on the "X" connector, and "1" is wired to chassis ground. So, if you jumper "1" and "2" on the latch connector you should find socket 23 on the "X" connector now shorted to ground. And of course, you can check the operation of the switch by checking continuity between the male pins "1" and "2" with the latch connector removed.

Socket 17 is wired to a microswitch on the right soft top latch at the windshield. I would verify that you have that latch closed absolutely and repeat the check on "17". If "17" remains open, then you can isolate the problem as being the switch or wiring to the "Y" connector in a manner as described above.

To check the soft top latch microswitch wiring, you will need to remove the cover over the top of the windshield. This is easy to do. On each side of the car just loosen the phillips-head screw and remove the little trim piece at the latch. Now the metal cover slides back and off to reveal each latch with its microswitch.

One additional detail. The connectors for the left and right soft top latches wire to an intermediate connector. I feel certain this connector is in the top of the windshield in plain view with the cover removed. Anyway, socket/pin 2 of this connector is the one that is wired to "17" on the "X" connector.

And finally, as you surely know, perform all continuity checks with the ignition switched to off.

arr320 · #24 08-29-2002, 12:15 PM

The only 4-pin connector that I could see in the storage bowl is located on the actual locking mechanism for the storage compartment cover. I think that this is the one you were describing, but this pin #2 is not connected to pin #23 on the “X” connector; it is connected to pin #25. I attempted to follow the wire (Gray \Green \White) from pin #23, but it's practically impossible to do this without tarring up the car. Any suggestions on how to solve the problem?

On the other hand I was able to repair the problem on pin #17, like you seed the fault was the right windshield locking latch. The locking latch had a little metal arm that would trigger the switch constantly. I repaired the problem by simply bending the triggering arm a bit. Thanks for the help!

bobterry99 · #25 08-29-2002, 07:29 PM

My prior post had an error. I had 23 crossed with 25. The problem switch is not on the compartment cover, but is instead on the retention bow latch left side. That earlier post has been edited to correct the error and may be referred to. Sorry, and congratulations on correcting the other problem.

arr320 · #26 08-29-2002, 07:57 PM

I have located the switch in the trunk just like you said. After testing the system, I found out that the micro switch is faulty. So, I'll replace it first thing tomorow morning. But the control button switch is still constantly on after I bypassed the problem! Any suggestions?

bobterry99 · #27 08-30-2002, 08:54 PM

I'm stumped. With the top closed the button lamp is programmed to turn on if the top is not latched completely at the windshield or the retention bow is not latched. The condition for the lamp being off is that sockets 16, 17, 18, and 19 of the "X" connector are switched to ground. But you have verified these and still the lamp is on.

Sigh.

arr320 · #28 08-31-2002, 06:59 AM

I ran the system check again. I don’t know what it means. If at all possible could you please help me to understand it?
On position I (top up, roll bar up, windows up) on the X connector these sockets come up closed 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, and 32; all the rest of them are open. 13, 14, and 32, I think they are out of place. What are they?
On position II (top down, roll bar down, windows down) the sockets that are closed on the X connector are 10, 13, 14, 22, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31, and 32. Again 13, 14, and 32 came up, as well as 25. I think the problem might lie there. Any suggestions?

bobterry99 · #29 08-31-2002, 10:54 AM

Socket 25 should only be grounded in position 1, and sockets 13, 14, and 32 are not wired to microswitches. Refer to the following:

Sockets wired to microswitches
10 = Window lowered (left)
16 = Top latched at windshield (left)
17 = Top latched at windshield (right)
18 = Retention bow latched (left)
19 = Retention bow latched (right)
20 = Compartment cover latched (left)
21 = Compartment cover latched (right)
22 = Window lowered (right)
23 = Retention bow closed (left)
24 = Retention bow closed (right)
25 = Compartment cover closed (left)
26 = Compartment cover closed (right)
27 = Soft top in compartment
28 = Soft top up
29 = Retention bow raised
30 = Compartment cover open
31 = Roll bar down

mindless · #30 10-21-2004, 02:46 PM

My Daughter recently borrowed my 94 sl320. SHe had the top down,(of course) On return, when I tried to put the top back up, the windows dropped, I heard the hydralics, but the roll bar stayed. THe cover was trying to pull down although it was already down. I tried several times. Any suggestions? Many thanks,