Electric hood on CLK cabrio getting "stuck"

[SilverSaloon]

hi

when i try and lower the roof on my CLK w208 with the engine running and in park the hood stops half way... the rear bit lifts and the roof folds about about half way and then the red roof switch flashes and the roof sticks. only way to make it carry on is to switch off the ignition, switch it back on without starting the car and continue pressing the switch.

if i do it with the car not running (ie just with the ignition set at pos 2) then it seems to work but slows down (supposedly the battery power causes the slowdown as the engine isnt running).

i am sure it retracted fine with engine running in the past.... any ideas?

it folds back UP fine with engine running and off, its just folding the roof down where it does this.

its a 1999 pre-facelift CLK.

thanks

derek

[guydewdney]

my mums old one did this - she said she just thumped it - but it only happened occasionally..

[SilverSaloon]

hmmm, might get merc to look at this when at the dealers for new fuel senders on monday..... should be covered by my warrenty

[RobCLK]

Have you ever had the Battery changed? (ie. Is it 5 years old)

Just a long shot, but it may have some dead cells that are not providing enough power. (This could occur just as easily with the engine running or not)

[Shude]

Could be a sensor, the roof mech is packed with them to avoid having fingers etc chopped off by moving parts.

[jaymanek]

Mine struggles with the car off, i think the handbook says the car has to be running, its strange why its working with the car off and not when running.. Its got to be some sensor...

[SilverSaloon]

tried again today (loverly weather!!!) and even with the engine off and ignition on it stopped half way. It must be a sensor.... strange as if i switch off and on the ignition and pull the switch again it continues to work. maybe it resets the sensor if u do that or something? it does seem to be stopping around the same place

i am going to get MB to check this out on monday as its booked in at the dealers anyway. hopefully it will be covered by the warrenty i have.

thanks

derek

[Shude]

It must be a sensor.... strange as if i switch off and on the ignition and pull the switch again it continues to work. maybe it resets the sensor if u do that or something? it does seem to be stopping around the same place
It's like the classic brake switch sensor, power cycle and it works again for a bit! :)

[Paul Grainger]

There are a number of pressure switches behind the rear seat. These sense excess pressure in the hydraulic system and stop either the opening or closing cycle if they operate (ie in the event of an obstruction) - they can also operate if some part of the mechanism is to 'stiff'. Other switches operate if the pressure drops 'too low', this can happen if the system develops a leak.
I had a leak, the symptoms were exactly as you describe. I removed the rear seat back and found a loose gland connection on one of the rams, this was resulting in a tiny leak but it was enough to shut the system down. Repair took approx 10 seconds with a small spanner, the system has been perfect since.

Paul G

[jaymanek]

On my E220, im sure there was a place to check the hydraulic oil level, does it need to be checked on the CLK?? I get worried as MB dont list any type of service to roof on any MB convertible.