Anybody having a problem with their roof ? Mine sometimes makes me wait 5 minutes before I hear a click from a relay and then it opens or closes. The roof begins to open or close by opening the trunk, then nothing happens, you can keep your finger on the switch or not, that just runs the pump and the switch gets hot. After a while you'll hear the click, you try the switch again and it works fine finishing up the open or close whatever you were doing. Anybody have the same problem ?

Not really sure with SLKs, but a previous 300CE-24 Cabriolet I owned had a similar problem and it turned out to be a relay. I would not be surprised if a relay is giving you trouble, since most of the electrical problems with M.B.s can always be traced a stupid relay that is stuck or not working properly.

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995

Thanks, I'll give that a try, since there is only one main relay , I was wondering about my battery getting old, the car has 2 years on a factory battery so I was wondering whether it is possible that the battery doesn't provide enough juice to trip the relay ?? Does that sound absurd or is it possible.

It would not hurt at all to put in a new battery. Two years is about the max I have been able to keep a factory battery on my cars. I always switch to Sears sealed batteries, they last over five years.

Although, a quick way to check if the battery is an issue, you shouldn't have any problems opening the roof with the engine running (the alternator would cover for the weak battery).

I don't know how "friendly" is your M.B. dealer in your area, but mine always let me switch the suspected relay with a new one as a quick loaner. If the problem is fix, they just invoice it and everyone is happy.

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995

Hi,

Best bet would be to take your car back to the dealer and have them look at the wiring that runs along the top edge of the roof for the 2 contacts in the front latches,the wires short out giving a false signal to the retractable roof and will stop working or wont work at all



mike(MK153)

Good point, I have an appointment for Sept 6, first available. I was curious if this was a common problem, and it doesn;t appear to be, which is good to see. I also noticed that there were no other mentions of roof problems. Since MB is getting such great reviews for the roof design, (& it is great (when it worked right ))
I was glad to see this is an oddity rather than the norm.