1997 Mercedes-Benz SL500 (R129)
Discussion
Really nice car there
A question to other 129 owners. It's sunny this morning so I have moved it into the sun to see if I can dry out the hood before putting on the hardtop.
There was a lot of condensation inside, e.g. the plastic hood windows and generally all the glass. I presume the hood has to be dry before the months ahead of being tucked away?
There was a lot of condensation inside, e.g. the plastic hood windows and generally all the glass. I presume the hood has to be dry before the months ahead of being tucked away?
Toby, I would certainly recommend making sure it’s dry. When I had the hardtop painted a few months ago the body shop stowed the hood away when they put the hardtop on, and when I raised the canvas roof a few days later it was still sopping wet. Given the hood is essentially within the interior when the hardtop is on, you may well be plagued with condensation, not to mention the risk of mould etc. to the hood itself.
I've just been out and checked and it's pretty dry on the outside but lots of damp inside. The windscreen was soaked and the visors were dripping. I mopped up the interior and opened the hood enough to check the bit where it sleeps. The carpet is damp but not too bad. The inside of the tonneau was also wet but I have dried it.
I went for a 20 minute blast with the heater on.
I think it will be OK for this winter but I will investigate a new seal at the top of the windscreen. I haven't checked EPC. My mate is coming around after work to help lift on the hardtop.
I went for a 20 minute blast with the heater on.
I think it will be OK for this winter but I will investigate a new seal at the top of the windscreen. I haven't checked EPC. My mate is coming around after work to help lift on the hardtop.
Some woes with the SL.
Today I decided to go for a battery charge run but I was too late - flat battery through lack of use. I used my jump pack and now I have the red roof switch illuminated. I wonder if it's something to do with hood position. I reset the windows and steering but with the hardtop on I can't move the hood.
Second, most of the climate control switches don't work. It's stuck on auto so not the end of the world but I can only change the temperature and switch on the non-working HRW.
Third, still a lot of condensation inside. My left leg received a soaking from the map lights/rear view mirror area.
I hope to attend the new year's day car meet at the Phoenix, Hartley Wintney to give it another run out.
Today I decided to go for a battery charge run but I was too late - flat battery through lack of use. I used my jump pack and now I have the red roof switch illuminated. I wonder if it's something to do with hood position. I reset the windows and steering but with the hardtop on I can't move the hood.
Second, most of the climate control switches don't work. It's stuck on auto so not the end of the world but I can only change the temperature and switch on the non-working HRW.
Third, still a lot of condensation inside. My left leg received a soaking from the map lights/rear view mirror area.
I hope to attend the new year's day car meet at the Phoenix, Hartley Wintney to give it another run out.
tobinen said:
Some woes with the SL.
Today I decided to go for a battery charge run but I was too late - flat battery through lack of use. I used my jump pack and now I have the red roof switch illuminated. I wonder if it's something to do with hood position. I reset the windows and steering but with the hardtop on I can't move the hood...
Sorry to see this. I have read many, many times that jump-starting these cars will likely blow the roof control computer. I wonder if that is what has happened? Hopefully not.Today I decided to go for a battery charge run but I was too late - flat battery through lack of use. I used my jump pack and now I have the red roof switch illuminated. I wonder if it's something to do with hood position. I reset the windows and steering but with the hardtop on I can't move the hood...
Hereward said:
tobinen said:
Some woes with the SL.
Today I decided to go for a battery charge run but I was too late - flat battery through lack of use. I used my jump pack and now I have the red roof switch illuminated. I wonder if it's something to do with hood position. I reset the windows and steering but with the hardtop on I can't move the hood...
Sorry to see this. I have read many, many times that jump-starting these cars will likely blow the roof control computer. I wonder if that is what has happened? Hopefully not.Today I decided to go for a battery charge run but I was too late - flat battery through lack of use. I used my jump pack and now I have the red roof switch illuminated. I wonder if it's something to do with hood position. I reset the windows and steering but with the hardtop on I can't move the hood...
I wouldn't panic yet, keep using it regularly and see what springs into life. Oh clean the fuses too.
My 97 SL has two roof control module replacements in its (pre-my purchase) history, and when a low battery incident caused the roof switch to remain lit I feared the worst. Clearing the codes resulted in normal operation again, so hopefully it’s as simple as that. (My Star system doesn’t speak to the 129s, but if you’re going to the Scramble next month I’ll happily bring along my Icarsoft reader and give it a go?).
I decided to check the fuses and nothing seemed untoward. I swapped the RCM fuse (no.4) for the trailer coupling fuse (no.7, no idea why it's present), started the car and hey-presto, the warning light is off. Perhaps it reset something once disconnected?
The dehumidifier has been in since NYD and has collected about 10mm worth, so it is doing something. That said, it's been very mild anyway.
The dehumidifier has been in since NYD and has collected about 10mm worth, so it is doing something. That said, it's been very mild anyway.
A quick blast out yesterday for battery topping-up.
I have a flickering ASR warning light now, mostly in time with the bumps so I have something loose, one would think.
I had to pull boot fuse no.4 again to extinguish the red roof warning bulb after the flat battery upon return from a three-week break. At least it's an easy fix.
I have a flickering ASR warning light now, mostly in time with the bumps so I have something loose, one would think.
I had to pull boot fuse no.4 again to extinguish the red roof warning bulb after the flat battery upon return from a three-week break. At least it's an easy fix.
As it's Easter some tinkering. The left mirror glass has always been floppy and never stays in the position I want so I wanted to see what's up. It's a 9-pin mirror but the connector is horizontal and I think the 140 connector is from above. I may remove the CL mirror tomorrow to check. Anyway it's not repairable so I need a new body even though the motor works fine.
A velcro bodge on the eschutcheon. It's very loose so I will search for an intact replacement.
Mirror off
A velcro bodge on the eschutcheon. It's very loose so I will search for an intact replacement.
Mirror off
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