Mercedes R230 SL55 roof stuck - how to fix+tips on avoiding problems. Error B1263-001.

[@yolo-cars]

Mike, thank you for this video! It's very educational especially for those R230 owners like me who don't know these cars well. Please keep doing these videos! 👍

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Thank you. My hope is that these videos will enable people to fix and service their own R230's and not be intimidated by the complexity of these cars. Mike

[@Abnersgarage]

Nice video! Im a proud owner of a custom r171+r107 chassis swap. I've been watching a lot of your videos for restoration tips! really appreciate it

[@Brian_L_5168]

Hi Mike, amazing presentation as always..!💯 I have 2 questions hoping you could clarify: - tracing that micro switch is like finding a needle in a haystack, did you have wiring diagram? Or what reliable source would you recommend for reliable wiring diagram? - at 3:23, you mentioned having the correct hydraulic level will put less stress to the system. I would think lower fluid level should have less PSI in the hydraulic system (therefore less stress) b/c it's easier to compress gas than liquid in a sealed system? Maybe I mis-interpret?

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Thanks for you kind words. I don't have a wiring diagram for the SL55 but a good source for part numbers of mercs is: nemigaparts.com/cat_spares/epc/mercedes/1/ A hydraulic pump works more efficiently the bigger the head - if the reservoir is low on fluid, the pump is having to work harder to produce the same movement. A good example is air bubbles in a brake system....your foot (the equivalent of the pump) has to press much harder and move much further to stop the car. In the case of a hydraulic pump, the fluid both lubricates and cools the pump. Less fluid = less cooling and more potential wear on the pump. I hope that makes sense. Mike

[@PeterCox-k1w]

Nice video, has put me off buying the model 😂

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Noooo....these videos are supposed to demonstrate that anybody can fix faults on an R230. To put this in perspective, I have just dropped off my Pagoda hard top for repair and I estimate it will cost 2-3K to sort out the rust and re-fabricate...the R230 roof is cheap to fix by comparison! Mike

[@cav4290]

Please do the BCM fuse modification!

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Hi...you will be the first to know when I have come up with my alternative the the existing BCM. Ideally I'd like to replace the consumer battery with a lithium battery...and build a modified BCM. Who knows, maybe that degree in electronic engineering will come in handy after all...Mike

[@cav4290]

@@MikesMercsandothercars In the meantime you can simply add an inline fuse. I have done it already.

[@mattmay2173]

Great video Mike. I have the creador tool. It’s pretty good and enables you to do rodeo mode etc

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Hi - that is interesting. Do you remember what you paid for it and where you got it? Mike

[@mattmay2173]

@@MikesMercsandothercars I paid £90 for it from ebay.

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

@@mattmay2173 Thanks for that - good to know if and when I get round to doing a review. Mike

[@BobBenz55]

😂😂😂R230 fragile car ….and i have the V12 version 😢😂

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Thanks for your comment - In a strange sort of way, I think the biggest problem with the R230 is that people don't really see it as a 'super' car like a Lambo, Ferrari, McLaren or Porsche etc. After 20 years when things go wrong on these super complicated (revolutionary at the time) systems like SBC, ABC and Vario roof etc people that the car is unreliable compared to say the R107...or some of the other Merc work horses. However...if you compared the cost/reliability of say the Ferrari California folding top...or the McLaren hydraulic suspension, I think that would be a more realistic comparison. With a Ferrari, you (almost) expect it to break and to cost a fortune when it does. With a Merc, you bought for sub £20k, you expect it to be reliable...and cheaper to fix. You and I know that is not the case! Mike

[@yolo-cars]

@@MikesMercsandothercars I think also the problem is these cars when they were new they were serviced at Mercedes dealerships only, therefore the knowledge base only started to accumulate when second and third etc owners got these cars with expired warranty and started to DIY things. I think more cheaper Benzes like C63 may have bigger knowledge base compared to these R230 cars and similar ones.

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

@@yolo-cars Yes - people sometimes forget how technologically advanced the R230 was when it first came out.....and expensive! What is classed as a 'negative' today (SBC and ABC etc) was a technological advancement in its day. Mike