I tried that - again, and it had no affect. I ran the windows down and held them there for 10 seconds, and again for longer. Then I tried it and held the soft top button at the same time still no affect. I pulled every relay I could find and pushed them back in, thinking there might be some corrosion.

Are the ABS and soft top somehow interconnected? Where are all the relays that operate the top? I took the fuse box cover off and pulled those relays out and in, then I did the relays and computers under the cover in the engine compartment in front of the passenger.

If I attempt to go the other way with the top, as if to close it up, the back pulls down a bit, so the pump works.

Also, on the engine starting issue - the vacuum gage is stuck on 30, no matter what the throttle position is. Is the vacuum gage electronic? Where is the switch for it? Could this be related to the starting issue?

I also noticed something else - the switch, under the radio for the suspension, does not light up in either position.

Help?? SOS?? Please don't say the dreaded "dealer" word! All this because the battery went dead?

__________________
Thank You!
Fred
2009 ML350
2004 SL600
2004 SL500
1996 SL600
2002 SLK32
2005 CLK320 cabrio
2003 ML350
1997 C280 Sport