Mercedes-Benz SL Top Opens, Won’t Close: Vario Roof
Reviewed/Verified by:
If you own a Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, you may experience a problem where the convertible top opens completely, but it gets stuck when you try to close it. The trunk lid gets stuck and will not close.
At a Glance
- Covers: Mercedes SL R230 Vario roof that opens fully but will not close
- Common causes: a faulty or unpressed micro switch (such as the trunk flap switches or S69/1 at the windshield), a weak or leaking hydraulic cylinder, or low hydraulic fluid
- First check: make sure both trunk lid flaps close fully
- Diagnose: read the roof codes and check the micro switch status with a scan tool
This article discusses the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (R230) convertible’s common components, problems, and fault codes.
Video
As shown in the video, three issues can cause the convertible top to get stuck during operation.
🔧 Find out what is actually wrong before you pay someone to guess
Dealer level diagnostics at home with the YOUCANIC UCAN-II Pro.
- ✔ Covers most makes and models, including many luxury brands. Send us your VIN and we will confirm your car before you order
- ✔ Reads every module, not just the engine, so you find the faults a basic reader says are not there
- ✔ Commands the car: test a fan or pump, bleed ABS, retract an electronic parking brake, register a battery
- ✔ No subscriptions. Free lifetime updates, so the price you pay is the whole price
- ✔ Backed by real mechanics in the USA you can email before and after you buy
Featured in The Wall Street Journal
One of the micro-switches is faulty or is not pressed. In this case, the flaps for the trunk lid were not closing on one side. The passenger side was closing ok.
The driver’s side flap was not closing, which led to the top getting stuck and not closing. There are a few micro-switches in the SL class. Micro-switch S69/1 at the top of the windshield can also cause similar symptoms.
Another issue is the weakening or leaking hydraulic cylinders. This is also a common problem. You know a cylinder is bad because the pump runs, but the top moves too slowly and then gets stuck. In addition, there is a loss of convertible top fluid. If you carefully inspect the hydraulic cylinders, you will find a visible fluid leak.
The hydraulic pump itself can fail. To understand and troubleshoot the convertible top on a Mercedes-Benz and why it may get stuck or not work, you need to understand where all the components are located. Below, you will find a table of component and micro-switch locations.
Vario Roof Component Location
| Designation | Name of Cylinder |
| 3 | Front Vario roof lock hydraulic cylinder |
| 4 | Left tubular frame lock hydraulic cylinder |
| 5 | Right tubular frame lock hydraulic cylinder |
| 6 | Left Vario roof (open/close) hydraulic cylinder |
| 7 | Right Vario roof (open/close) hydraulic cylinder |
| 8 | Trunk lid hydraulic cylinder |
| 9 | Left load assist (raise/lower) hydraulic cylinder |
| 10 | Right load assist (raise/lower) hydraulic cylinder |
| A7/5 | RVC hydraulic unit |
| A7/5k1 | Relay |
| Y55/1 | RVC valve block |
Vario Roof Micro-switches
| Switch Designation | Name of Switch |
| S69/1 | Vario roof limit switch |
| S69/2 | Vario roof locked limit switch |
| S69/3 | Vario roof locked limit switch |
| S69/10 | Luggage compartment partition limit switch |
| S69/11 | Vario roof raised/lowered limit switch |
| S83/10 | Rollover bar raised/lowered limit switch |
| S117 | Load assist limit switch |
| S118/1 | Left tubular frame locked limit switch |
| S118/2 | Right tubular frame locked limit switch |
| S119 | Tubular frame raised limit switch |
| S124 | Trunk lid open limit switch |
| S126/1 | Left side flap closed / open limit switch |
| S127/1 | Right side flap closed / open limit switch |
The convertible top gets stuck when closing the roof.
- Top opens but will get stuck when closing: The most common reason this happens is a bad micro-switch. If the top opens fine but then gets stuck when closing the trunk lid, the problem could be one of the following:
- The flap on the trunk lid doesn’t close all the way. This can lead to micro-switch S69/10 not closing and top operation halting.
- Micro switch S69/1 is faulty, or the top is not seated or latched at the top of the windshield.
- The trunk lid hydraulic cylinder (8) is weak or leaking fluid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Mercedes SL top open but not close?
The roof control needs every micro switch to confirm each step. A faulty or unpressed switch, often at the trunk flaps or windshield frame, stops the sequence. Weak hydraulic cylinders can cause the same problem.
Can I close the SL roof manually?
Mercedes provides an emergency closing procedure in the owner’s manual. Follow it carefully, because the hydraulics are under pressure.
What hydraulic fluid does the SL Vario roof use?
Use the hydraulic fluid specified for your car, commonly a synthetic fluid such as Pentosin CHF 11S. Check the label on the reservoir.
Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your Mercedes-Benz.
Best advise on the internet. I’ve searched for 2 days trying to find out more about the mechanism controlling the vario top.
Mine would not go up past the trunk lid which allowed me to access the pump canister which was 50ml low
After fill operate mechanism and again re-fill the canister although much quicker with less hum, only goes up to the trunk opening and nothing with the interior, retractable roof control operates.
I’ll assume some sort of relay fault or cylinder leak.
Thank you