Mercedes SLK 170 roof not opening... fault finding and repair.

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Thank you
Hi
This 2002 Mercedes SLK came to me with a half operational retractable roof.
Was told it was an electrical fault... but was it?
Follow me on this video to find out what was the problem and how to resolve it.
Hope you enjoy the video.
Any questions or comments put them below.
Like always, thank you for watching!

[@briansmith7843]

Had this problem on my wife's 230SLK since we bought it, always had to give the roof a good push to get it to release. Came across your video and tried your reset of the cables and it works a treat. Thank you so much for sharing this, scored lots of brownie points with the wife now , cheers

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😅 That's great, that you got it fixed! Thank you for watching and for your comment! 👍👍👍

[@BobSwanington]

One KZbin video saved me £1000+ in parts and labor. Thank you for this!

[@LMAutoRepairs]

That's great! Thank you for watching and for your comment!

[@jgibao]

most sunroof/covertible problems are easy to repair yourself if you have tools but mechanics make it seem very hard to do. Ive fixed an e36 sunroof and a C coupe pano roof by myself by only following some instructions on youtube. The C Coupe quote was 1000€, i fixed it for 10€. (bought 2 repalcements cogs and replaced them myself in one afternoon.)

[@LMAutoRepairs]

👍👍👍

[@Boatlife1964]

Sometimes you just gotta think about how things work...you’re a very clever guy.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Thanks! 😊

[@user-fx5jd4yi9r]

My brass golden retrievers is bad and it can be screwed out and also the halt side glasses doesn't go up after convention what is the problem

[@dannyryke412]

Perfect. Exact same problem. I started clueless but your video showed me what to do. Thanks.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

That's great! Thank you for watching and for your comment!

[@chalkster4723]

Lovely fix mate, well diagnosed. I always like to put a little service lubrication (spray grease) on all the hinges & pivots in complex roof mechanisms, you can hear the motors working easier as a result.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

👍👍👍 Thanks!

[@arnietwo11]

Good job, Ive fixed 3 SLKs that had roof issues, some like this with cables others changing the hydro rams. Everyday i learned something new !!

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ 👍👍👍

[@leoreeh5980]

I had the exact same problem with my roof, i knew it had to be something with the locking mechanism. Thanks Dude, great video!

[@LMAutoRepairs]

👍👍👍 Thanks, for watching and for your comment!

[@ViddyMan1]

Great fix me and my dad had a fun half an hour fixing this on my slk, roof works perfect now, garage said they'd fixed it by slapping a load of grease on the connectors - pfff this was the problem! Thank you!

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺ That's great! 👍👍👍

[@alex8426]

I was trying to put the top down on my slk350 today and seemed to have the same issue as you're showing on this video. I will definitely share this video to my mechanic. Thanks for sharing. You're good.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ 👍👍👍

[@tunconder1101]

smart repair , thanks a lot for sharing ...and showing us that not all repairs are as difficult as we think ...

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Thanks! 👍👍👍

[@JayDee-xj9lu]

If you wanted to take out some more slack you could make a small loop in the cable and put a zip tie through it. Well done. I want to buy one and the roof really scares me. You've relieved me of some of that fear. Thank you.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😊 Thanks! 👍👍👍

[@jamesstanton173]

Great video!!!!! I just bought an 02 SLK 32 AMG took it out for the first time today and had this exact problem. While I didn't get into adjusting cables, I did get the top to go down and then back up again allowing the triangle windows to close so make the car weather tight again. Only critque is that you didn't show you actually adjusting the cables which would be immensely helpful.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Quite easy to figure out once you get to the adjustment point... Thank you for watching and for your comment! 👍👍👍

[@Biglug8888]

That's what my SLK is doing. I'm going to try to adjust those cables. Thanks for the advice.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Hope you get it sorted! 👍👍👍 Thank you for watching and for your comment!

[@sisyphussapprentice8976]

Brilliantly simple thank you. Wish more repair videos were as easy to follow.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😊 Thanks! 👍👍👍

[@madmickey78]

gonna try this on mine ...I've been hitting mine to get it to open . Great vid 😀 I hope the roof lining panel comes off easily .

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Yes... is not too difficult to remove... Thank you for watching! 👍👍

[@rickkrogel4903]

thanks for the video, had the same problem, adjusted the cable and it works again!

[@LMAutoRepairs]

👍👍👍

[@isalmankhan1]

What an awesome fix WoW👍 I know many tech's would have gone nuts in this situation & fired parts canon at it😉 But you can fix'em all, without throwing parts👍 Thanks for sharing Bro👍 Stay Safe❤

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Thanks! 👍👍👍

[@user-ce5rf2wb7n]

Great advice. Great video. I would never have figured it out without your help.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ 👍👍👍

[@peterrushton8636]

a great video thanks i have had this roof fault for years sometimes roof works sometimes not i have got it working by ajusting the cables thanks for the help

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😊 That's great! Thank you for watching and for your comment! 👍👍👍

[@MrMoss786]

Very keen observation. Excellent video

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😊 Thank you for watching! 👍👍👍

[@stevejames2840]

Thankyou you saved me a lot of head scratching.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😊 👍👍👍

[@TheGibby3340]

Nice work... The owner got lucky. Right man on the job! Thx & Cheers

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😊👍 He did... Thanks! For watching and for your comment!

[@GregoryDanielHasting]

Worked perfectly when I tried it on mine thank you so much

[@LMAutoRepairs]

That's great! Thank you for watching and for your comment!

[@johnf3278]

I love your enthusiasm

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😊 Thanks! 👍👍

[@jackalek]

Great job mate! Also thank you so much for sharing your knowledge

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Thanks! 👍👍👍

[@Engineerboy100]

Wow, nice find. I've worked on the hydraulics of these systems and posted videos but never adjusted those cables. Good to know. Thanks for posting, well done!!!

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😊 Thanks! 👍👍👍

[@curtisducati]

@@LMAutoRepairs These cars are easy to work on , you did a good job with the roof ! Great car !

[@LMAutoRepairs]

@@curtisducati 😊 👍👍👍

[@christinagardner9348]

What causes hydraulically leaks?

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Split hydraulic lines or worn hydraulic actuators... If is leaking, something has failed... 👍

[@johnwiggy1159]

Really great video, solved my roof problem, many thanks

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ 👍👍👍

[@CarsExposed]

Top man no parts required again 🤗👍👍👍🙌

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Thanks Igor! 👍👍👍

[@ukcitizen1158]

Well done L.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Thanks! 👍👍👍

[@Parknest]

A nice easy NPR (No Parts Required) fix Luis. I bet Edd China wished his folding roof repair was that easy when he did the SLK on Wheeler Dealers. He had to replace both the relay and the hydraulic pump on that one.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😊 Have not seen that episode... But yes, this one was easy... Thank you for watching and for your comment!

[@maxthecaddy8451]

Excellent video as always👌

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Thanks! 👍👍👍

[@mechanicmatt871]

Nice find and fix

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Thank you! 👍👍👍

[@kicks4us25]

Hey thank you this one works. I have the same problem and I fix mine . Thank you very much for the video ,!

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😊 👍👍👍

[@ADDAUTOMOBILESERVICES]

Great job

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Thanks! 😊👍👍👍

[@patelvivek4888]

Great work 👍👍

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Thanks! 👍👍👍

[@maforautorapair5935]

very goood job guy , thanks for sharing information

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😊 Thanks, for watching and for your comment!

[@ericwright8498]

Great job. Thanks for posting

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ Thank you for watching! 👍👍👍

[@robinliljedahl5259]

Very smart solution

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Thanks! 👍👍👍

[@alainmorency13]

Nice Video. i need to know how to repaire the roof leatherette of my SLK 230

[@chrism.6214]

great video, thank you for sharing

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😊👍👍👍

[@taz8436]

superb video as always

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Thanks! 👍👍👍

[@alexdenas2834]

Thank you so much for sharing this

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😊 👍👍👍

[@FunAllDayLong4353]

Seriously impressed!!!

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ Thanks! 👍👍👍

[@wardybasher]

Best thing in the tool box is ➡️👀👂 Nice...

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Indeed! Thank you for watching and for your comment!

[@mehdiguitoun6821]

Good Job, Respect.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Thanks! 👍👍👍

[@karidh8452]

Excellent video, thank you so much!

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😊 👍👍👍

[@stephenbibby8650]

Nicely diagnosed. 👍 A main dealer would have charged a fortune to do the same fix .

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😊 Probably... Thank you for watching and for your comment!

[@uflidd]

Awesome! I can tell this is exactly the problem i got. Now i just have to figure out how to pull down the trim 😅

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ 👍👍👍

[@uflidd]

I was wrong. Im pushing as hard as I can, but it doesnt move :/ any idea what else i can do to pull it open?

[@rugbywillman]

Just bought a '97 SLK230 R170. The top was working when I bought it, but lo and behold, it stopped when it got home. Eventually found the culprit when I got the roof lining off so I could see the lock mechanism. So it was the right hand lock microswitch which has a little bellow covering the "tit". It was sticking shut!! If you flicked the switch it released. Electrical spray to clean it and then once dried, WD40. One very happy bunny - Thank you so much! You are a ✴✴✴.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😊 👍👍👍

[@geoffdudley2539]

Great fix...I have this problem. Is it easy to remove the roof liner and replace it?

[@AbbottAutomotive]

Good job 👍🏻

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Thanks! 👍👍👍

[@MrViken-pc9sb]

good work,smart man,,,,,,,,

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😊 Thanks, for watching and for your comment!

[@xclwhv]

thanks for that tutorial! it worked perfectly 🤘🤘🤘

[@LMAutoRepairs]

That's great! Thank you for watching and for your comment! 👍👍👍

[@xclwhv]

@@LMAutoRepairs i got this car 4 or 5 years ago ... and the roof had this problem from the first day 🙈

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😳 You got it sorted now. 👍👍👍

[@shifty2755]

It looks like the cables had stretched. Good diagnosis

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😊 Looks like... Thank you for watching and for your comment!

[@cristianstanescu7192]

thank you very much, it helped me 👍👍👍

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😊 👍👍👍

[@TN_AU]

Great that you found a fix, but the main issue here is, how did it get to this state that the cable is slacking on each end that it needs adjustment? Is the cable stretching over time, if this is the case, then your going to pretty much run out of adjustment.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

I do believe it is indeed the cables stretching over time, and some wear and tear... Eventually yes, the cables might need replacing... 👍👍👍

[@supermarketsweeps]

i worked on later model i think it was 172 2014 the rear shelf motor had seized up , meant to be common sorry great vid :)

[@LMAutoRepairs]

👍👍👍 Good to know... Thank you for watching and for your comment!

[@geoffdudley2539]

Hi there. Great video. Any chance you could explain how to remove the roof liner please?

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Hi I am sorry, usually figure out things as I go along, and in this case I don't remember such details... Look for clips and/or hidden screws... usually it is how they are hold in place... 👍👍👍

[@juweekhan]

visual inspection thanks

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Absolutely! Thank you for watching!

[@johnykool59]

It would have been helpful if you would have shown how to get the roof liner out

[@chrisfrank8413]

Those are the emergency release cables, they end up behind each panel in the lower trunk. thee allow you to release top w/o power.

[@mycollection4167]

Thank you!

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺ 👍👍👍

[@autodiagnostykaiklucze5978]

MasterFix as always:)

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ 👍👍👍

[@user-ov4iz2mq1j]

I have the same problem with this that you show, but as per your instruction I press the place that you show plus the bottom but nothing happens, do you have solution?

[@mrgrumpy5116]

well done, another good fix, just like in the old days when people used common sense.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😊 Thanks! 👍👍👍

[@stevo5806]

Good job 👍 so how after you removed the screws to the supports did you take the liner to the roof out ?

[@LMAutoRepairs]

🤔 I can't really remember hoe I did it... But I would say yes... I believe it is all in the video... 👍👍👍

[@josepeixoto3384]

Damn...wanted to see you fix the Bowden cables ECU here.... lol

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Lol 👍👍👍

[@BeatsbyGianni]

How do you actually adjust the Bowden cables though ??

[@mobreyngambi1052]

nice one

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Thanks! 👍👍👍

[@sptrader6316]

Instead of a hydraulic valve, MB should have used a simple solenoid to unlock the latches. No cables or valves would have been necessary and it would have been far simpler, cheaper and more reliable. Great job troubleshooting.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Thanks! 👍👍👍

[@marcoshernandezcuestas9222]

Hi, the button of my roof doesnt blink, don you know why ??? Could yo tell me where is fuse?? Thanls

[@magnushartell]

Nice work, I think I have the same problem with my slk 230, just one question? Can you do a video of how to remove the roof lining

[@LMAutoRepairs]

I could... but this was not my car... It is quite straightforward really... a few screws and some clips... Thank you for watching!

[@magnushartell]

Finally got some time to work with my problem and you were correct, I had the same problem. The difference for me was that there was no screw adjustments on the wire, there was a small clip that you had to move to get more tension. Thank you for getting me into repaing myself

[@LMAutoRepairs]

@@magnushartell That's great! Well done!

[@wj1405]

Nice♥

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Thanks, for watching and for your comment! 👍👍👍

[@carlwelstead5622]

How hard is it to remove all the roof trim?

[@proluxelectronics7419]

Pug 207CC same issue but if it shows malfunction, boot harness on hinge broken wire.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

👍👍👍

[@pabsaguilos5310]

I need help for my 2000 slk 230 R170. The roof vario button keeps on blinking Every now and then with beep alarm. I wonder if this causes my battery to drain because I'm also experiencing battery parasitic load. Thanks.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Possibly... Scan the car first, and go from there... 👍👍👍

[@akrentacar4095]

Hello bro my slk 230 roof now not open I press button light on but roof not open why plz tell & help

[@8power0]

The true fix for this vehicle would be new cabling , on a vehicle this old more than likely those cables are stitched way beyond specification . In short order that customer will be seeing this problem again possibly in the near future thanks for your time .

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Possibly... or might not... who knows... Thank you for watching!

[@grimreaperbadboy]

My mother in law has 60 reg Renault measure hard top replaced motor as you could see where water ingress had been in boot but window comes down but roof won't open you can hear motor trying but comes up fault on dash still any ideas where to try next?

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Scan the car... look at some live data... Check plugs for corrosion.. Thank you for watching! 👍👍👍

[@mototechno834]

Hii..m working on audi q7..brake fault message flashes on dash nd the fault code says No communication with brake system control module..also ESP light is on...i want to know where is the brake system control module in audi q7...is it the ABS module or is it some different module???? plzzz advice...thank you

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Should be all in the same ABS module... Thank you for watching!

[@guadalupeibarra2157]

Question my slk230 does not work if button flahes does it mean is not working?

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Yes... the flashing I believe indicates a fault in the system... 👍👍👍

[@YasmelFernandez]

Hi what if my boot thing won’t open

[@naturiatinajero6677]

How did you tighten it up? I tried twisting but my hand hurts

[@LMAutoRepairs]

If it is at the maximum, then you need a different approach... 👍👍👍

[@naturiatinajero6677]

@@LMAutoRepairs any links on how I can do this?

[@LMAutoRepairs]

@naturiatinajero6677 I never had to... But I would guess the cables will need shortening some how, unless they can be further adjusted at the other ends...

[@electronic7979]

👍

[@LMAutoRepairs]

👍👍👍

[@lukasorange7856]

Did you check maybe what was the reason for the cables being so much loose?

[@offbeatwarble]

They stretch over time through repeated use

[@soldiers303]

@@offbeatwarble I doubt they would stretch that much. I mean the roof probably gets opened a few times a year in the UK. On a bike you use the clutch who knows how much times and it never gets this loose.

[@kentsvensson7009]

I have almost same problem, but it's problem to close The roof, halfway it stop, can it be wires who do it? It stop and just click click, i Help Little and it close amediality..

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Could be... or hydraulic pressure... Scan the car, and look at some live data... 👍👍👍

[@kentsvensson7009]

@@LMAutoRepairs i have my car in workshop now, because my batteri has no kick this morning, so i have let it to people who can fix it. Anyway thank's from Kent in Sweden.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ 👍👍👍

[@CarlosSolisProductions]

You did not show 'adjusting' or 'tightening' of cables that open the hinges in back...

[@LMAutoRepairs]

No... But I showed exactly where to adjust... 👍👍👍

[@christinagardner9348]

I have a hydraulic leak can you show me how to fix that

[@LMAutoRepairs]

🤷‍♂️ Repair the leak?... Not sure how I can help... 👍👍👍

[@christinagardner9348]

Oh ok it's a 230 SLK compressor

[@christinagardner9348]

Thanks anyway

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Well, if there is a leak, repair or replace whatever is leaking... There is not much more you can do... 👍👍👍

[@bengaltiger96]

Relay? Hydraulic Pump?

[@LMAutoRepairs]

🙄 What do you mean?

[@beluxauto5968]

that one was way way too easy for you , luckily . More then once I had to crawl into the boot of an SL ( not SLK ) to find broken wires , micro switches ect ect . Xentry will guide you on the wrong path . Nightmare .

[@LMAutoRepairs]

I had similar on BMW... Videos coming...😉 Thank you for watching and for your comment!

[@beluxauto5968]

@@LMAutoRepairs Can't wait until you upload that . Maybe I can smile instead of being laughed upon. The years of acrobatics start showing.😩😩

[@LMAutoRepairs]

@@beluxauto5968 😊

[@johnyonge9911]

Great, but WHAT did you actually Do???

[@LMAutoRepairs]

I thought I have explained I the video...😳

[@DrivetoThrive5779]

I had hydraulics leak issue

[@shifty2755]

My money was on one of the many pin switches.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😊

[@neilmurphy845]

How could they call that electrical it clearly sounded like it was laboring

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Absolutely! 👍👍👍

[@kennyfenny4754]

Are you self employed.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

No... Thank you for watching!

[@markphillips1855]

Leaking hydraulic

[@LMAutoRepairs]

🤷‍♂️

[@masterchririus]

Very nice :)

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Thanks! 👍👍👍

[@vladimirtrifonov6145]

Great job

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Thanks! 👍👍👍

[@upgr8king]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Thanks...

[@SuperInterpol1]

Great job

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Thanks! 👍👍👍