[powerstar]

Its been a wonderful 2 years of ownership of my SLK 200 R170.Now after being outdoors in a brutal
winter the roof refuses to open.Does anyone know how I can go about fixing this problem?
Diagnostics etc.Or is it a trip to a garage.Such a nice drive!!!

 

[efair]

What is the red light doing when you try? Can you hear the pump running? Does anything at all move (windows, boot lid, latches at the headliner, etc? Remove the round plug in the center of the headliner to see that last one.)

 

[Avel Du]

Its been a wonderful 2 years of ownership of my SLK 200 R170.Now after being outdoors in a brutal
winter the roof refuses to open.Does anyone know how I can go about fixing this problem?
Diagnostics etc.Or is it a trip to a garage.Such a nice drive!!!

A little more info need as there can be many reasons for a failed roof.


ROOF R170:

SDS scan is best starting point.
If you do not have access to SDS, some fixes are quite simple.
For the roof to work it has to pass several safety features.

Including, but not limited to:
Wheel speed sensor.
The blind in the boot has to be in place.
The door windows must lower.
The rear quarter windows must lower.
The roof catches in above the windscreen must unlatch.
The boot must open.
The battery must be in top condition (best having the engine running when playing).
The hydraulic fluid must be at the correct level.

Before agreeing to work, try working through our diys if you cannot get the SDS scan.
(MB Indy will charge between £40- 100 for this).

vario Roof Diagnostic aid

Nice document.

www.slkworld.com

Mercedes SLK Manual Top / Roof Closing (1996-2004 R170)

Is the Vario Roof on your SLK stuck or malfunctioning? In this video we'll show you the procedure for manually closing the retractable hard top on your 1996-2004 SLK, so that you can get your car weatherproofed and buy yourself some time before diagnosing and fixing it. jb edit...edited to...

www.slkworld.com

vario Roof Diagnostic aid

Nice document. says r230 which is sl but similar to r170

www.slkworld.com

Mercedes SLK 230 HardTop Issues And How To Solve Them

www.slkworld.com

Vario Roof Troubleshooting Tree - R170 Courtesy of...

Courtesy of Leapyfish Click on attached PDF edit: https://youtu.be/uXKSfLEPWgE

www.slkworld.com

DIY R170 Vario roof button blinking

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r170-slk-class/1416185-vario-roof-button-blinking-need-help.html

www.slkworld.com

There may also be some videos:

SLK repairs Youtube Stephen Paul 49 videos

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7P_LHAJFk_tvwerkvQavsyqsacOm0jTR

www.slkworld.com

DIY Mercedes Benz SLK230 Maintenance - 32 videos

DIY Mercedes Benz SLK230 Maintenance https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4kCxFVdSSQRal7cSMpadDMvOnXuOqoGQ

www.slkworld.com

fupabox slk320 r170 repair videos - 43 videos

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsoW__ztUKTPknPvDU9dOhdmdMOuH-OjR

www.slkworld.com

Some fixes are very easy, others are more technical.
It is well worth working through those lists before committing to work.

 

[Avel Du]

 

[powerstar]

thanks for the advice folk

 

[Dave2302]

thanks for the advice folk

If you answer Efair's questions in post #2 I'm sure more specific advice can be given.

 

[DAJ 190]

Then there's that really red-faced moment when you realise that you've left the cover in the boot/trunk retracted!

David

 

[powerstar]

hmmm I am going to check now.Must admit it was sitting in airport long stay carpark for 2 weeks while I was in the carribean so maybe battery not powerful enough.

 

[powerstar]

What is the red light doing when you try? Can you hear the pump running? Does anything at all move (windows, boot lid, latches at the headliner, etc? Remove the round plug in the center of the headliner to see that last one.)

that is most concerning part I cant hear roof latches as usual.red button light is still on.

 

[Dave2302]

Get a decent indie to read it with SDS including correlating the microswitches data, if he doesn't have SDS he's not a decent indie

Or you could spend an eternity with a Wiring Diagram and a Multimeter plus need the exact sequence document for what switch does what and when in the OS, I believe that was on Top Hydraulics website
Might even be on the Forum somewhere

 

[Avel Du]

Charge battery first, to eliminate it.
Saves the grief of digging deeper.

When you do try roof have the engine running to support the power drain.

 

[powerstar]

ok will charge battery and visit garage, don't know any indies.Was going great until spot of bad weather.
gonna garage in future winters.

 

[Avel Du]

Just try it when battery is sorted before going to the garage.
You might not need to visit.

 

[Dave2302]

 

[efair]

that is most concerning part I cant hear roof latches as usual.red button light is still on.

Does the red light flash or come on solid when you pull the switch back? And do you hear the >>> pump <<< running in the back at all (you said you couldn't hear the >>> latches <<< but I'm more interested in the pump motor itself)?

 

[M4rCu5]

Are the warning lights for BAS/ESP on or off with the engine running?

 

[powerstar]

I am a little surprised,the roof button light has come on again.The windows are going down when I press the
button and the roof is trying to open but seems to be stuck during the cycle.I suppose at least now something is happening when I press the button.Maybe latch is sticking?

 

[Avel Du]

I know in the past some have got away with a thump under the latches.
If that works, we have a winner.

I think the cables to the latches can stretch with age.

 

[LeonardoDaBenz]

I remember the "thump" method . Similar to this:

 

[M4rCu5]

I know in the past some have got away with a thump under the latches.
If that works, we have a winner.

I think the cables to the latches can stretch with age.

The roof seals can also stick together if the roof has been shut for a while

a while = an indeterminate amount of time, often associated with a round tuit