1998 SL500 Top Latches Not Releasing

[bbrewer]

Trying to help a friend that just bought a 1998 SL500 at an auction, and it has a few "issues"... LOL!!
We released the top for the first time, and the rear latches popped up, but the fronts did not release.
Tried to snug it back down, and realized the panorama roof doesn't seem to fit right. The center pins seem to be spread a little wider than the receiver holes in the body. Obviously it took some work by someone to get it into place in the first place... :-(
Regardless, now it won't go back in place in the middle or rear, and the fronts won't release....
For right now I'd like to just be able to release the front latches and then worry about how to make the hardtop slide in like it was designed to at a later time....

So.... Is there a way to manually release the front latches, and if so, how??

Thanks,

[SilverSL500]

Originally Posted by bbrewer

So.... Is there a way to manually release the front latches, and if so, how??

Thanks,

There should be a tool in the kit with the spare tire to unlock the front latches. This is outlined in the owners manual. If you/he doesn't have one, it can be downloaded in pdf from the MBUSA website. I can't remember the sequence, but I think you unlock them right, left, right, left.

S

[Carlos Serrano]

Have you checked the hyd. reservoir under the spare tire ithe fluid level may be too low.

[bbrewer]

Thank you both for your help.
I don't have a manual (most of the problem so far) LOL!! and the MB website doesn't have one for a 98 SL online yet....

I'm going to check for the manual releases when I get home this evening, but getting into the trunk is the SECOND issue....
You can't.... :-(
You can lock or unlock it (and hear the locks working), but it TOO, won't release. The interior release button does nothing, and the fuse is good...

But just being able to manually release the top is step 1...

Thanks...

[speace]

If yours is like my 92 all you need for the front is an allen wrench.
Un-snap the sun visors. Look for the two plastic plugs beneath the visors. snap out the plugs. Use the allen wrench to unlatch the front pins manually.
It takes two snaps of each one to release them fully. Do one side by one notch then the other side and repeat. all of this is in the owner's manual.

Also note that they are reverse rotation. Left vs right.

My top wouldn't release the front latches this spring and I just had to do this.

I believe my problem was caused by a microswitch that was out of position.

Once you have removed the hard top, try and operate the soft top.

If the storage compartment unlatches, but doesn't open itself, lift the cover manually and look for a microswitch on one of the top bows straight behind the driver's seat. See that that switch is working properly. Mine had slipped past the bow and was preventing my front latches from operating. Once I repositioned the switch everything began working properly.

Good Luck!

[SilverSL500]

Originally Posted by bbrewer

Thank you both for your help.
I don't have a manual (most of the problem so far) LOL!! and the MB website doesn't have one for a 98 SL online yet....

Thanks...

The manual I downloaded doesn't list years, just SL 500 and Sl 600. I'd think it would be very close, especially for stuff like this. My written owners manual has some older stuff in it also.

[TheV12pwr]

There is a switch on each door,... windows have to trigger the switch in order to unlock the front latches.One or both do NOT do the job.........

[bbrewer]

Okay, the hardtop is successfully off, but now softtop problems....
First, one of the hardtop rear pulldown "tangs" is still in the body of the car.
It's broken off from the top, and is stuck in there. It won't release.

I mention it only if it's important for some reason in that the car may think the top is still on, because the softtop hatch cover will not come up. It is unlatched on one side, but not the passenger side. Any trick to getting the hatch's side latch unlatched??

And I was able to get into the trunk finally.... Can only be done with the key, and working it, and some patience....
Sooner or later it just seems to "catch", and the trunk unlocks...
The hydraulic fluid reserviour is slightly above the Max level, so that's probably okay.... But no doubt a new trunk lock cylinder is required..

Thanks.... Progress, but..... :-(

[speace]

Yes, the broken off post will be 'sensed'. These tops are very complicated and even have their own computer!

The releases for the rear posts are accessed from the trunk. There are plastic access plates just to the outside of the trunk lid hinges.

My book says to use the open end wrench on the RED lever. This is a 2-stage latch so it will take two motions to engage/disengage them. Again, it says when releasing the hardtop to do the first notch on both sides before proceeding to the second notch.

Once you get the post released and removed, the sensors may figure things out and the soft top may work.

The releases for the soft top hatch cover require a THIN open end wrench (same as provided to release the rear latches) inserted between the roll bar and the soft top hatch. There is a release point on each side.

Regarding the trunk lock. If yours is the same as mine, the normal position for the lock cylinder is vertical. In that case, the lock will operate without a key any time the doors are unlocked by simply pressing the cylinder with a finger. When the cylinder is horizontal and the key removed, the trunk is locked - period. If your remote unlock system is not unlocking the trunk you may have to insert the key and turn it counter clockwise and then push it in (key and all while turned) to activate the release.

Do you by chance have the toolkit in the trunk with the soft top tool?
Mine is a thin open end wrench with an allen welded at a right-angle on the other end. This one tool will activate all of the release points for the top.

Good Luck!

[bbrewer]

Thanks again!
I'll get into the trunk again tonight and see if I can release that post.
I'll let you know...

Unfortunately, no tool kit, manuals, or anything....

The trunk lock will lock and unlock all of the locks if you use the key in the trunk lock. It does not release with the dash button or the remote button.
Just pushing in on the trunk lock will not open it...
It's like it needs the key in there to actually push the right pieces into place.
I'm going to take it apart tonight and see what makes it (not) tick, and I'll let you know....
Thanks again....

[speace]

My bet then, is that the vacuum solenoid for the trunk lock is not moving to the unlock position when the doors are unlocked. I'm sure you will see the problem when you get into it. The actuator should open the trunk when pushed if the key slot is left in the vertical position and the doors are unlocked. When you lock the doors, the vacuum actuator moves the lever on the solenoid so that it MISSES the actuator.

My SL was also missing the tool kit and I obtained on on eBay without much of a problem. I believe the SL tool kits older than 1990 may not have the corect top tool in them for our models.

Good Luck!

[Carlos Serrano]

The key hole for the trunk is a push button, if the key is in the vertical position all you have to do is push the cilynder in about 1/2 inch with your finger. I believe is a mechanical release. At least it feels like it.

[jazzyd]

My '87 560 sl won't lay down to the body and I was told the rear pins need replacing. Where do I get them

[zulf]

Hello bbrewer try this, disconnect battery then reconnect after 10 mins then switch on ignition open and close all doors then start car and release soft top.