I purchased the car with a non-functional top. I removed the rear seat bottom and found a connector and 2 studs where a component seems to be missing.

After pressing 4, 12 seconds, no code response on #2 plug pin under the passenger footwell. Could the top controller be missing?

Attached Thumbnails

 

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'92 500E, 110k, Spruce green, stock SOLD
'94 E320 Cabriolet, 130k, E500 wheels, Emerald green SOLD
'94 E320 Cabriolet, 110k, black, stock, SOLD
'88 300TE, 229k, dark grey, SOLD
'90 300CE, 212k, white, new paint, SOLD
'91 300E, 209k, white, rebuilt head SOLD
'74 914-6, grey, 2.7L 325hp twin turbo Audi conversion

Yup, that's where you find the control unit. It's gone.

You need PN 124 820 45 26.

hmmm, I'll ask the PO if he still has it. Even if he does it's probably bad but maybe I can check for bad connections. He said the repair may be around $2k so it's likely the controller is much of that cost.

Are there any rebuilders?

If Fastlane doesn't have it, I'll check the dealer and report the price tomorrow...

BTW, does this control the rear headrest / rollbar? Mine is stuck in the up position.

__________________
'88 300TE, 175k, black RENNTech 3.6L Recaro C's AMG 1 SOLD
'92 500E, 110k, Spruce green, stock SOLD
'94 E320 Cabriolet, 130k, E500 wheels, Emerald green SOLD
'94 E320 Cabriolet, 110k, black, stock, SOLD
'88 300TE, 229k, dark grey, SOLD
'90 300CE, 212k, white, new paint, SOLD
'91 300E, 209k, white, rebuilt head SOLD
'74 914-6, grey, 2.7L 325hp twin turbo Audi conversion

On that car I believe it does, yes.

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After finding a used one, the seller described 3 connections and I only have the one 12 pin. I looked under the seat and it's about 10" from where the missing component would be. I hope the missing one isn't as pricey as the top controller but what is it??? It's at the upper left of the picture, top controller is at the center bottom...

Why didn't I get any top codes, the top clearly doesn't function??

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
'88 300TE, 175k, black RENNTech 3.6L Recaro C's AMG 1 SOLD
'92 500E, 110k, Spruce green, stock SOLD
'94 E320 Cabriolet, 130k, E500 wheels, Emerald green SOLD
'94 E320 Cabriolet, 110k, black, stock, SOLD
'88 300TE, 229k, dark grey, SOLD
'90 300CE, 212k, white, new paint, SOLD
'91 300E, 209k, white, rebuilt head SOLD
'74 914-6, grey, 2.7L 325hp twin turbo Audi conversion

Another Cab owner bought a new controller and it didn't solve his headrest problem. It's likely a tilt sensor as my PO said it would come up when he hit a bump. The bouncy ride indicates it needs new struts...

__________________
'88 300TE, 175k, black RENNTech 3.6L Recaro C's AMG 1 SOLD
'92 500E, 110k, Spruce green, stock SOLD
'94 E320 Cabriolet, 130k, E500 wheels, Emerald green SOLD
'94 E320 Cabriolet, 110k, black, stock, SOLD
'88 300TE, 229k, dark grey, SOLD
'90 300CE, 212k, white, new paint, SOLD
'91 300E, 209k, white, rebuilt head SOLD
'74 914-6, grey, 2.7L 325hp twin turbo Audi conversion

I plugged in the 12 pin connector on the left side of the controller and the top went through it's cycle up to pulling the top down. Windows and headrests went down, cover came up, top began to move up but stopped. It's late so I'll pull the codes tomorrow and see why it's not pulling...

There are studs that seem to be for something but now no connector...

__________________
'88 300TE, 175k, black RENNTech 3.6L Recaro C's AMG 1 SOLD
'92 500E, 110k, Spruce green, stock SOLD
'94 E320 Cabriolet, 130k, E500 wheels, Emerald green SOLD
'94 E320 Cabriolet, 110k, black, stock, SOLD
'88 300TE, 229k, dark grey, SOLD
'90 300CE, 212k, white, new paint, SOLD
'91 300E, 209k, white, rebuilt head SOLD
'74 914-6, grey, 2.7L 325hp twin turbo Audi conversion