Soft top control unit - 96 sl 500

Hi. My soft top has a problem ( top and roll bar lights on when switch pushed and no action by either ). I have spent the last 2 days surfing and wanted to post current and new information. Hope someone might have some perspective.

1. 96 sl500. I have 38 pin diag connector. Tried the short pin 21 to gnd pin1 and read code form top switch light - but i do not get any flashes. Does this procedure work on a 96 ?

2. found the control unit ( located in rear seat storage area ) took it out, pulled boards buit no visable signs of blowing or burning out. windows go up down by window switch which is also controlled by the unit so seems somewhat functional.

3. i have found a place that rebuild units for 495.00 and offers free diagnostic service which mught be the safe/fast way to go ( email me for info if u need it )

3. my online manual says there is also a roll bar controller. Is that true for a 96 or is it all one controller ? I get different info from online sources

4. i have the tool to manually lift the top ( thin 10mm wrench ) can someone email me the procedure or point me to an online source ? ( sorry i do not have the car's owners manual )

5. anything else i can try . ? thanks tom. dealer was unable to read the unit and advised a 1300 contol unit. :0(

'Wrench, on a '96 or newer car you can't read any codes by simply shorting a socket to ground. On emissions-related systems, you can read codes with a generic, inexpensive OBD-II code reader. But for the M-B proprietary stuff like the soft top controller, you need an expensive and more sophisticated scan tool.

'95 and older SLs have a roll bar controller. In '96 those functions were integrated into the top control module and the roll bar controller was eliminated.

Send me an email for info on the manual top operation...

Thanks for the confirmation. I was thinking after i tried all this that it seemed this might be more pre-96. Right now the weather in SF is fine so i don;t need to raise the top ( save you the hassle of sending me the details :-)). I have sent the controller to a rebuilder for testing and repair if necessary. Seem like a very common problem on these cars. Thanks for confirming merged roll bar and soft top functionality in one box. I opened up the controller - man - alot of "stuff" in there !

Will post results of testing and repair so others aren;t stuck by this problem. Dealer also hightlighted latch replacement which i fail to see how they are bad by sitting unlatched. I hope to test this out after i get the controller back. Hopefully this is a mute point and based on the mal-functioning control unit.

thanks for the response
mbwrench

i want to follow this thread because:
it seems the very existance of this forum is by and for people/owners who are 'fed up' with the Dealer (I have been EXTREMELY disappointed) and just to see what bobterry has to say (his advice and posts have been godsends!...a compliment!). thanks, george

Hi there,
 
Does anyone know where I can get a soft top control module for my 97 SL500 at a good deal? Thank you very much!

quote:

Does anyone know where I can get a soft top control module for my 97 SL500 at a good deal?

Always use your VIN. Check with the following for $375 to $884 rebuilts.
http://www.bba-reman.com/catalogue/Products.aspx?category=633
http://www.4mercedes.com/powertop.htm
http://www.germanstar.net/129el.htm
http://www.beckmanntechnologies.com/catalog/IconWebPage.asp?CategoryText1=Electrical%20Systems&CategoryText2=Soft%20Top%20Control&CategoryText3=Control%20Units&CategoryText4=Control%20Units

Thanks Lynns! I will give them a try. I still think mine the code just need to be reset it. The windows are still working only the roll-over bar and the soft top switches are not working - the lights stay on. Just a few days ago my batter was weak and the lights on those switches came on. Now the battery is fully charged but the lights on the two switches still stay on. It doesn't seem to be a control module gone bad like the local shop told me. I will post the results later.

quote:

ORIGINAL: my97sl500

Thanks Lynns! I will give them a try. I still think mine the code just need to be reset it.

Yes, that is a much cheaper way to go and I have seen that fix several peoples contoller with a reset. I hope you realize that it takes an advanced scan tool like the MB STAR Diagnostic System that the Dealers and Indy's use. I recently paid my Indy $60 to scan all 12 of my systems and remove any error codes as well as do a reset of my trans. i\It was very interesting but I could not have done that at a Dealer. 

Hi Lynn,
 
What do you mean by "Indy"? Is that some source of a local shop in your State? Thanks!