1999 clk 320 convertible top won't open
 

:vbac47679Hello,
My 1999 Mercedes clk 320 convertible top won't open. After I turn the lever and unlock the roof I hold the button to lower the top but it just flashes rapidly and the top doesn’t move. The top hasn’t been mis-handled it just stop working. Can you help me resolve this problem? I’m wondering, does any thing need to be reset?

Is the roller blind in position? And is the trunk closed? ie; LED in switch OFF

Also, see if the light on the rear headrest switch is blinking...the rear headrests need to be parked in the lowest position for the top-down operation to engage.

This should occur automatically, but if not, it could also be your problem.

I don't have roller blinds installed but I will check the headrest light and ensure its in its lowest position. I'll let you know if this works. (Thank you both)

Also, could there be a problem with the fuses? Or could the trunk lock contribute to this problem?

Roller blinds
 

The "roller blinds" refers to the setup in your trunk that you slide towards you then over to latch up. It protects the top canvas from cargo in the trunk area. There is a microswitch or something that tells when it is latched, and will not let you operate the top otherwise.

I find sometimes I mess up and get the blind off track or don't latch it properly.

Oh, Ok. No problem, I see what your saying. I'll check that next.

Ok, I found the switch within the roller blinds track. I tapped it down to ensure its in the down position then I closed the roller blinds. Unfortunately the top still won't move.

Also when I first turn the car on the light on the rear headrest switch starts blinking for a while then it stops. The top still won't move.

What if I disconnect then reconnect the battery would that reset everything?

The blinking headrest light is normal upon startup...the rear headrests actually act as the rollbar, and it's making sure it's set up to function properly in the event of a rollover.

Guess I should have asked this first...do the rear headrests raise and/or lower when you depress the switch? If not, BIG ($$$) problem, and you won't get any top-down operation.

Next set of questions: What part of the top down sequence doesn't function? Will the windows roll down? Will the rear window retract and the canopy open up to accept the folded top?

Also, can I assume you have performed this operation before? As such, once you unlatch the top, you have to push it up a bit in order to get the top down operation to engage...simply unlatching the top will do nothing.

Report back...and DON"T DISCONNECT THE BATTERY!!! Otherwise, the car will have to resynchronize the whole top-down operation!!! :eek:

Bump...any results??? :confused:

Sorry for the delay. The headrest switch does lower and raise the rear headrest. When I unlatch the top and push it up the front and rear windows automatically roll down. But that’s it. The rear window doesn't retract nor does the canopy open to receive the top.

I thought maybe a fuse may have blown. I replaced all three fuses that effect the soft top operation but nothing changed.

Oh, I didn't dissconnect the battery.

FYI: Although back in November 2008 I replaced the old battery (that died ) for a new. Once I installed the new battery the top worked fine. Before the old battery died the top worked fine.

At this point, it's going to require some professional diagnosis. I pretty much gave all of the tips that us "average Joe's" can do. After that, it takes some serious know-how to troubleshoot the system. Sorry. :(

Understood. But thank you for your help.