R129 Roof operation
Discussion
Looked at an R129 today. Roof works fine, with no hydraulic leaks etc. The only concern I have is that to close the hood, the operation button is pushed to bring the hood into place, and then has to be released, and then pushed again to drop the tonneau cover in place. Is this normal as I thought pushing the button the once completed the full cycle?
Thank
Thank
That was how it usually worked on my 1990 SL. One or two of the microswitches might be on their way out (but that is unusual).
Equally, I found the whole mechanism a bit arthritic for a day or two after the hardtop came off in the spring before the operation settled down - try going through nine or ten full cycles?
Does the car have the spanner (in case the mechanism fails)? Another option is to use that to open/close the mechanism(s) fully by hand and then try the hydraulic operation again.
P
Equally, I found the whole mechanism a bit arthritic for a day or two after the hardtop came off in the spring before the operation settled down - try going through nine or ten full cycles?
Does the car have the spanner (in case the mechanism fails)? Another option is to use that to open/close the mechanism(s) fully by hand and then try the hydraulic operation again.
P
It should be a one-push operation from start to finish. Having to stop and then push again suggests to me a little gremlin somewhere in a limit switch or in the roof ECU. Either way, it's not a nice place for a problem to take hold as it will probably grow in time into a big ugly and expensive gremlin.
It's generally better to operate the roof with the engine running and all R129s appreciate a fully-charged high capacity battery.
It's generally better to operate the roof with the engine running and all R129s appreciate a fully-charged high capacity battery.
One push operation for me too - going up it goes from the first push, but taking the roof down it ignores the first pull back, but one second later on the second attempt goes back in one - I think it's playing with me, dummying a breakdown every time!
A question if I may - how much noise do others get when the front latches disengage? On my car, particularly with the hard top (although that could just be the acoustics of the hard top "enclosure") there is a quite loud bang, which makes first time passengers jump. What is the recommended lubrication regime for the latches - I can't find any details when searching, and am aware that MB are very sensitive about soft tops, sunroof etc. lubrication. I inspected a few cars before buying this one, but cannot recall how the roof latches sounded.
A question if I may - how much noise do others get when the front latches disengage? On my car, particularly with the hard top (although that could just be the acoustics of the hard top "enclosure") there is a quite loud bang, which makes first time passengers jump. What is the recommended lubrication regime for the latches - I can't find any details when searching, and am aware that MB are very sensitive about soft tops, sunroof etc. lubrication. I inspected a few cars before buying this one, but cannot recall how the roof latches sounded.
They're noisy, 1st time I heard that latch I thought the bloody thing had broken.
One push for me too. When looking I did try a car that acted as described, the dealer said "oh it's a two stage operation" (BS)
Some just do this, I suspect a micro switch somewhere needs adjustment.
There's a poster on Benzworld.org called "top hydraulics" he refurbs cylinders etc and seemingly knows all there is to know, certainly helped a few members out, they hold him in high regard.
One push for me too. When looking I did try a car that acted as described, the dealer said "oh it's a two stage operation" (BS)
Some just do this, I suspect a micro switch somewhere needs adjustment.
There's a poster on Benzworld.org called "top hydraulics" he refurbs cylinders etc and seemingly knows all there is to know, certainly helped a few members out, they hold him in high regard.
Video showing the inside of the roof module on pre-96 cars and why perhaps you'd not want to have to go in there.
https://youtu.be/081X0Fxe9us
https://youtu.be/081X0Fxe9us
Edited by Zonergem on Thursday 6th July 17:49
Stegel said:
Thanks both - sounds like the noise is normal. There are no fault codes, so I think I'll live with the two-strike start.
I'll look at that poster's threads. I have some MB Gleitpaste (sunroof lubricant!) on the way, and may use that to lube the catches too.
A little bedtime reading I'll look at that poster's threads. I have some MB Gleitpaste (sunroof lubricant!) on the way, and may use that to lube the catches too.
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129-sl-class/1307...
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