'97 SL500 Soft Top Problems - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

KevzSL · #1 11-27-2005, 07:33 PM

Hi All,

I initially posted this problem on another website which unfortunately is about to close. http://sl-129.com/
I received some help from Bob Terry and some direction to this fantastic forum.
I have been attempting to sift through previous posts to find answers to my problem but I haven't been successful.

Unfortunately, I had problems with my battery necessitating a "jump start" and subsequent battery replacement.
Since then, my side windows don't operate, the caution light in the dash for the roll bar is illuminated and the roll bar switch light and soft top switch light remain illuminated. This is annoying because the windows no longer seat correctly into the hard top. I seem to be able to reset everything by disconnecting the battery for 3 minutes, however, once I turn off the engine my problems re-appear. I have checked the fuses in the trunk and under the hood, all seem OK. The only thing I haven't done is remove the hardtop and attempt to fully exercise the soft top through it's full range of motion
I have had a friend at an MB dealer carry out a HHT and print out a copy for me.
I'm not sure how to interpret the result.
Which sub-heading would the soft top controller fault show up under? I have 10 sub-sections labelled:

ME1R
ASR
BAS
ETC.6
RFL
RST
ATA
AB
IC
AAC

All have some codes/references. Except "RST" which states the "Control Module does not respond"

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Kev

waybomb · #2 11-27-2005, 11:21 PM

I have a 91 sl and had a similar problem to you.

My battery went dead from sitting too long. Charged the battery up, started the car, and it seemed every electrical thing went bad, which made no sense.

First thing that went bad was one of the ATO fuses on top of the OVP relay. Not sure if your car has one of these, but it is under the cover in the engine compartment in front of the passenger. It is a small square relay with a clear cover on it. Check the fuses with a VOM. On mine, the bad fuse looked ok, but tested bad.

The folks here also told me how to reset the top codes. Do a search in this forum for my user name "waybomb" and you are bound to find the thread about a dead battery. In it, somebody was nice enough provide a very good description on pulling and clearing the top codes.

The dead battery event affected my soft top, ABS brakes, engine performance, bad starting, gages, etc

Good luck!

KevzSL · #3 11-27-2005, 11:54 PM

Thanks waybomb,

I'll search for the thread about your flat battery and see if it's applicable to my problem.

Mino Erhan · #4 12-01-2005, 11:23 AM

I just purchased a '97 SL500 40th Anniversary, and reading in the manual it talks about having to re-syncronize the windows and the soft top in the event of a power failure.
Do you have the owners manual? If not, I will read it and reply back tomorrow>

KevzSL · #5 12-02-2005, 04:12 AM

Yes, I do have the owners manual and I must admit to not reading it thouroughly enough.

I 'm going to spend some quality time with both the manual and the car in the next couple of days and will report my results.

Thanks for the feedback so far!

Kev

#6 12-02-2005, 04:23 AM

we have seen several 129's of that vintage with similar issues, something in the module burns out when you jump start the car. the only fix was to replce the entire module. i cannot say for certain that this is your problem, just what i have seen more than once in the past. ther is a company that can rebuild them, they reprogram them to eliminate the "defect". i have used them many times and am very happy with their products. send them an email with your problem they may be able to offer you more info than i did.

http://www.beckmanntechnologies.com/products.html

KevzSL · #7 12-02-2005, 04:43 AM

Hi Ray,

Thank you for that link. Hopefully I can rectify/reset the controller without having to resort to replacing it.

I'm away from home at the moment and won't have a chance to troubleshoot until Sunday but fingers crossed....

Kev

Mike Miller · #8 12-03-2005, 12:40 PM

Ray/Kev,
My owners manual specifically states DO NOT JUMP START YOUR SL WITH BOTH BATTERY TERMINALS CONNECTED. It will fry the top module. Instead, you charge the battery with a jump from another car or a charger, then hook the cables back to the battery and sync your top.

Sorry, I know this is Monday Morning QB'ing, but there it is. Try the sync route and then contact Ray's rebuilder I am afraid.

KevzSL · #9 12-04-2005, 03:40 AM

Well I'm a happy camper!

When I returned to my vehicle I was surprised to see the drivers side window seated up correctly in the window frame. When I had left it previously, it had failed in the "door open" position (slightly lowered).

When I opened the door the window was operating normally and upon starting the car all my troubles were gone!!!! I syncronised the windows a couple of times just to be sure however, the problem SEEMS to have disappeared.

I'm transporting the car back to Oz next month so I might get my friend to read the codes with his HHT one more time prior to shipping.

Thank you to all who took the time to respond to my plight.

Regards,

Kev

samflyer · #10 10-05-2006, 12:53 PM

I know this reply is dated. I had exact same issues w/my 97 SL. I had leaking hyd. cylinders in the upper windshield. I them had replaced from a mech that didn't know what he was doing. In the process of cycling the top numerous times on battery power, he ran the battery down. Then, in the process, I'm sure he attempted to "jump" it, subsequently burning out the soft top control module. Upon picking up the car, the "ASR" light was on (the bar that pops up). Only he said this was a coinsidence. Bad mech; good mech's are worth every penny.

Sam