Hi

The picture I have attached is my not so beautiful SLK, I have spent a fortune on restoring it, but I am now stuck with the roof not opening. My mechanic has had a go at sorting out the roof, but it fails to open, I have also tried a car electrician, but no joy, I had it checked by local Mercedes garage and they confirmed that because it was hit, the roof might have been misaligned when the mechanic was repairing. They say the roof might never open again. Please SLKer's Does any one know who can help me overide the sensor so that the roof open or alligned all the joints and carnnies so that it autoamtically works, or is there another system i can install to open this roof. Mercedes are not helping on this... The SLK is no good to me if I cannot have the roof down during summer. I am really in a jam; I bought the car from auction and didn’t know how important the alignment is due to some sensor. I would really be grateful if anyone can save me from the embarrassment of the only slk in this world that the roof doesn’t open.



PS

I have all the pictures before and after its been repaired



Cheers

If it doesn't open there will be dtc (diagnostic trouble codes) in the top control module, so have the dealer read those and go from there. I assume the vinyl roller cover in the trunk is pulled all the way back and is in it's retainer? If this isn't done the top won't operate.
When pulling the roof switch back (to lower the top) are the windows rolling down?

Gilly

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Pics don't appear to be attached to this thread.

Did your car come with a manual when you purchased? There are instructions on opening the top manually...

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Manual operation of the SLK roof is quite a chore, nothing you'd want to do very often at all, did it ONCE, that was enough. Owner was incredulous that it took 15-30 minutes to do it manually in their driveway. Threatening rain of course, and it requires enough height that it couldn't be done in their garage.
I also don't understand why the top not operating would cause "embarassment", why be embarassed? Turn on the AC and drive, they won't know you CAN'T open the top, just figure you don't want it open, but I can see why you want to fix it, what FUN is it if you can't open it? Where are you located?

Gilly

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Thanks Gilly,
I live in Essex in East London, I am not entirley sure what the problem is, but please read below. it answers some of the questions you asked.
I pulled the tray.
I dont have roof opening manuals
The button when pressed down did lower the little window and it eventually did the main window, maybe I need instructions on how to operate the roof switch. also the roof pushes down like itstrying to lock itself.
When i pulled it the button up nothing happens , so could it be the roof swicth or the sensors or the microswitch, though mercedes says its the roof switch. I am awaiting a full report from the test they did on my car, if they ever find it.
Cheers
Mark
Essex UK


Thanks,
Ok When i got to the garage, i explained to the repairer to check everythingto make sure its all aligned. well we cant get it 100%. So i spread the boot tray and tried opening the roof. When i press down the button, there was some noise from the buzzing noise from the back boot where the roof motor is and the car engine sounded different, then the rear quarter window went down, the front window too were going down.
The roof lock didnt open, neither did the boot, after couple of tries the roof lock realsed itself, and yet the boot still didnt open. what i also notice was that before the operation i could raise the boot about 30cm high into the position where the roof folds in, but after laying the tray and pressing the console button, i couldnt raise the boot anymore. it seems that it has locked into a psoition. The mechanic suggested maybe its the console roof button thats faulty, as we now know its not the hydraulics. i also checked the level and it was in between the level. we concluded it was nothing to do with alignment but the sensors. it seems there is a break down of communication between the sensor.

is there a particular sequence of pressing the button?
also when i pressed the button again , the roof presses down into the lock position rather than pulling back like it wants to open. Could it be the console button sending out the wrong signal? why is the boot lid stuck now?

I called Lakeside mercedes, asking for a computer log of the diagnostics they ran on my car yesterday after i dropped it there, i was promised someone will call me back which no one did, until i specifically asked for the manager, and he too promised to call me back which he didnt . so tomorrow am dropping my car there again for a rexamination and get a proper log of all the faults.
They claim on the invoice that the roof switch is damage so i need to know which one.

Very confusing explaination, let me see if I can muddle through this with you or lay out a few facts.

On the "tray" (more like a vinyl cargo cover in the trunk or what you call the boot), that has to be pulled back towards the bumper and hooked in to the slots. One of them has a switch which has to "close" or the top operation is disabled. This is to prevent breakage of the rear window by cargo in the trunk when folding.

The top switch is pushed forward (almost better described as "downward") to bring the top UP from the trunk. Don't push it that way, the top is already up.
You toggle it backwards to lower the top. If the "tray" is in the proper position, the windows ALL lower, the trunk or boot lid tilts backwards, the the front latches disengage and the top stows, then the boot lid closes again.
Each step must be accomplished before it moves to the next. There are obviosly more steps than I described, I simplified it.

Mainly the control unit needs to see a various progression of closed or open microswitches. I don't know if there is an actual "sensor" on this car, just microswitches. There is a few in the front of the roof panel, and some in the boot, such as the one for the tray. The windows must lower first before the top will even attempt to operate.

If the problem is a microswitch or other electrical problem, there will be a code in the control module which will aid diagnosis.
By your statement about the "roof switch", I am wondering if the mechanic actually means the switch in the console (to operate the top) is defective?

Finally (for now) the instructions on operating the top (including I believe emergency operation) are in the owners manual. If you do NOT have an owners manual, it's important to buy one, they are not expensive.

Gilly

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This is the summary of the error log from Merc

For the roof, the codes are
1. B1121: component S21s2 right front power window switch is operated for more than 25 s or cable has (some funny symbol)
2. B1010 : The supply Voltage of the control unit is too low (under voltage)
3. B1270: component s69 /9 ( trunk lid open limit switch) and S69/7 (left trunk lid closed/Locked limit switch) or components s69/9 ( trunk lid open limit switch) and S69/8 (right trunk lid closed/locked limit switch) are operated at the same time
4. B1272: implausible signals from components s69/1 ( vario roof closed limit switch( right lug))S, 69/2 ( vario roof locked limit switch( right rotarytumbler))s69/3 (vario roof locked limit switch ( left rotary tumbler and S69/11 ( vario roof raised /lowered limit switch)
5. B1273 : implausible signals from components s69/1 ( vario roof closed limit switch( right lug))S, 69/7 ( left trunk lid closed/locked limit switch)S69/8 (right trunk lid closed/locked limit switch) and S69/11 ( vario roof raised /lowered limit switch)
6. B1274 : No limit switch signal
And finally
B1279 component s69/2 ( vario roof locked limit switch ( right rotary tumbler)) or S69/3 ( vario roof locked limit switch ( left rotary tumbler)) is operated for longer than 25s or lead has -//-or ¬¬ + or ¬¬-


SO basically what they saying to me is Hell of a lot to do and it will cost loads of money. I think they just dont want to be burden with resolving it, because he mentioned that if they do and something should break or get stuk, they will be liable for the damaged they cost. so they are not being helpful or understanding. So fellow SLKers...... HELP.
I dont want to loose hope, but am on the brink of breaking down.


Also seeking SLK specialist roof repairer

Does any one have any idea of where i can get hold of someone who knows a heck of a lot about fixing or repairing SLK roofs. I have the diagnostic report from merc. The repairer has to be in the UK prefereably London or Greater London. Will travel if i have to.

Let start from the top, first GET an owners manual.

Second, if you use the regular power window switches, to they both work?
Third, if you close the windows, then pull back on the top switch do both of the door windows and the small 1/4 windows roll down?

Gilly

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Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)