Battery died, ABS lite on and other problems
 

Hi
Tried posting on the SL forum, but not much help there. Maybe someone here can help?

I let the battery go dead on my 91 300SL. Before that, the engine ran good, the top worked fine, the ABS did not light, the vacuum gage was not stuck on 30", and the suspension switch lit when activated. Since the battery went dead, I now have a whole bunch of problems.

The battery went dead, I charged it up, and then started it. It took a lot of cranking, and when the engine did run on its own, it ran at a very low rpm, and any throttle input results in the engine going dead. Once the engine warms up a bit, around one minute is all it takes, the engine runs great. It's been about 60 degrees in the daytime these days. By running great I mean no stumbling, great throttle response, and I took her on the highway up to 100mph. The only time there is a problem with it is at a cold start. What should I look for?

Second problem. The top won't go down. I ran the windows up and down a number of times, and I also held them up for more than 10 seconds and down for more than 10 seconds. I also ran the roll bar up and down. I tried with the engine running and without. If I move the button as if to close the top, the back pulls down a bit, so I know the pump runs. When I actuate the switch to drop the top, I get a steady flash of about 1 second duration. I went as far as 35 blinks and it was still blinking. I rotated all the fuses, both in the engine compartment and in the trunk. I also checked all fuses to make sure at least 13 volts wa getting through, and they were. I removed the top of the fuse box and pulled out and reinstalled the relays. I did the same with the computers in the compartment in front of the passenger in the engine bay. Any ideas?

The ABS is constantly on when the car is running. Any ideas?

The switch below the radio for the suspension used to light up if it was activated; now it does not do so. Any ideas?

And the vacuum gage is stuck on 30". Is this a mechanical gage or electric?

And all of this since the battery went dead. Help? Anyone?

Check the voltage regulator for wear and or replace
 

I had a similar problem with my 300TD and turned out to be a worn voltage regulator, generally mounted on the rear of the alternator. Easy to obtain at local patys house and about $10

Good luck