So, I just bought this beautiful gem recently. And the roof was working... Yes, but of course, he didn't tell me on the long drive that what was dripping when I closed it was hydraulic fluid onto the passenger seat.
Sure enough, it had enough fluid for it to work like five times, then the last time it took forever to close, you hear it trying, and the roof BUTTON GOT HOT.

Well, sure enough, I learned to check for fluid; it was down to like 1/5th.

I ordered the O ring set, the fluid, and spent all day Friday working on it. Job done! EXCEPT... When hit the button, the pump starts working, the rear windows go down, the roof UNLOCKS (no liner so I can see it) and that, my new friends, is IT. I the bottom stays lit as long as I'm pulling on it and I can hear the pump working working working in back, but nothing happens.

Most noticeable, the trunk LID does not open at all.

I've covered the basics, but I am left with questions like... did air get into lines where it shouldn't have (I still have no real idea exactly how this system works yet), did I burn something out? It was working fine and now nothing.

I understand there are many things to check, and have spend hours scouring, but I can't seem to find a scenario like mine where dashboard shows no errors I can see, the button is not blinking weirdly, and where all of a sudden now it UNLOCKS but nothing else happens.

Can someone PLEASE help before I lose my mind???

A repair bot is required to fix the complaint bot!!

Kill me now!

Just tried running a couple of cycles with valve open to supposedly air it out.

No switch light blinking, just pump and no activity.

If the pump sounds like it's trying, does this mean the relay is working?

These systems are pretty sraight forward. Air will work its way out by cycling operation. Did you see leakage from any other cylinders? Continue to cycle back and forth while making sure you keep fluid in reservoir. Go to tophydraulics.com for everything you need to know about it.

Ive got a 01 CLK320 convertible in shop right now working on leaky cylinder issues. It was previously owned by Alex Murdaugh and it is my understanding it was one of Maggies cars.

__________________
Jim

Thank you, Jim! Do you know what is the exact procedure to do that? I"m just kinda winging it as best as I can.

Not 100% certain on your application, going on CLK repair work. On the CLK there is a rod between rear seats that you use a special tool to unlatch the forward trunk cover piece. Sounds like the cylinder that latches that is leaking so bad that it does not release. Find tool and pop forward trunk cover then go back to switch to see if system will continue sequence. Continue to ck reservoir fluid level and add as needed. Once it completes that cycle (all way open/all the way closed) continue to do it for about 4 cycles to get all air out.

If one cylinder is leaking plan on going thru all of them.

__________________
Jim

What is the cycle? to use the button while the pump bolt if open or closed? or are you referring to opening and closing the roof manually several times?

I sent all 5 hydraulic cylinders to Top Hydraulics to be rebuilt. Everything worked perfectly for several months. Then one day the pump would run, the windows went down, the front cylinder would unlock the roof, the pump kept running and nothing else.
After doing a quick research, I discovered that the pump pressure relief valve had a cracked o-ring on the tip. I knew about others having this issue, so I removed the valve and sure enough it was just like others experienced. I installed new o-rings on both fittings and the roof now operates fast, just like when I bought the car new.

Attachment 167289

Attached Thumbnails

     

__________________

1993 190E 2.3
2001 SLK230
1971 LS5 (454) Corvette Convertible