Author Topic: Passenger side tonneau cover latch stuck  (Read 5333 times)

n/a

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Passenger side tonneau cover latch stuck
« on: November 07, 2006, 11:17:45 »
Sorry folks but I've tried my best to search for a thread on this specific problem but no luck.....

The tonneau covers driver side and center latches both move and release their grip but the passenger side will not lift. I can look down the crack between the tonneau covers leading edge and the chrome plate that covers the folding mechanism of the top (just above and front of the seatbelt bolt)nd see that the rods are moving and appear to be disengaging from the tonneau's latch but I can't pull the tonneau up and open - it's firmly stuck down.

Is it really disengaging as I pull the drivers side lever and see things moving and is just plan jammed or is it not truly disengaging? How do I solve??

thanks from the novice.

Kenneth Gear

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Re: Passenger side tonneau cover latch stuck
« Reply #1 on: November 07, 2006, 13:41:39 »
It sounds like the passenger side latch is not disengaging -- same thing happened to me recently.

Open the trunk and look up in the top corner on that side of the car.  There is a small opening into the soft top compartment.  Reach in with a coat hanger and try to find a black cable -- it's a bit tricky to locate but you should be able to find it.  That cable connects the handle to the latch mechanism.  When you find it, give it a tug and it should disengage the latch.

Since learning the hard way, I have attached zip ties around that cable on each side to make them easier to pull from the trunk  the next time my latch gets stuck.

Good luck

Ken G
1971 280 SL
Silver/red
« Last Edit: November 07, 2006, 13:42:58 by Kgear »
Ken G
1971 280 SL Silver/red

scheutw

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Re: Passenger side tonneau cover latch stuck
« Reply #2 on: November 09, 2006, 10:20:19 »
Along this line, the cover on my 66 230SL will not latch on the passenger side when I try to close it with the soft top down and in the area for it. I have made sure that the soft top is all the way down and the latching hadles are positioned at the lowest point. The cover will still not latch. Any suggestions?  Thanks

66 230SL
97 E320

bsimaz

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Re: Passenger side tonneau cover latch stuck
« Reply #3 on: November 09, 2006, 10:31:54 »
scheutw, I have had this happen to me once in a while.  I had to pull the release lever again because the latch was already closed.  Not sure why that would happen but this would allow me to close the top.

Bill Simaz
'66 230sl
Back on the Road