1996 SL320. When trying to raise soft top, why does the light blink?

It sounds like you have a failed vehicle speed sensor, but that is a guess. What you need to do now is have the ABS and engine control modules scanned for fault codes, once the fault codes are known you can begin to diagnose the problem

it could be a stuck motor. were the motor is there is a manual winder try this to move the soft top if you have a trouble then wind down instead of up and find what is stopping the movment could be an arm has fell off.

you need to release front points, they are partialy ceized, penatrating oil (wd40) keep working them, plenty of patience needed. good luck

yes there is a manual release for the locks. Hopefully you still have the tool kit with the soft top tool in it. It will have a open wrench on one side and a allen on the other. For the rear locks use the open end wrench side and behind the side trunk panels you can see the mechanism for the rear latches. Slide the tool over the release mechanism and move upwards while lifting up on the top. For the front latches swing the visors to the side and remove little round cover. Insert allen side of tool and rotate until latch unlocks. Make sure vehicle is running when ever you operate the top or hard top as voltage can affect the operation of the latches.

There is no way to raise it manually. You most likely have bad seals/pistons that have leaked out the fluid. Check your manual for where you can put fluid into it, and pop over to benzworld.org for group help on mercedes issues.

starter my be going out have it tested or it may be the alternator

Check your manual for the location of the top fuse.
Your car left the factory as a hardtop and was converted to a soft top by a Chrysler authorized company so the top fuse(s) may not be with the other fuses.

Karl at topgunwon.com

It depends how much hydraulic pressure you have in the system. Take your softop tool and unlock the rear locks via trunk. see if you can raise the rear of the top (do not force because you will damage a ram). Next unlock your compartment lid and then the front of the top. You may be able to then retract it into it's storage compartment. The manual should also tell you how to release the hydraulic pressure via your pump in the trunk by your spare. hopefully I have been helpful

There is a fuse No.20 (15amp) in the under dash fuse panel and a 25amp circuit breaker in the under hood fuse panel that controls the top.

It is never a good idea to unplug your modules with the key on you definitely can damage them. Hope fully your windows are not synchronized. See if the express mode up works. Try holding the button in the first detent and raise window and hold for 5 seconds. next see if the windows work with the 1 touch operation. It is possible that the module you unplugged stores the synch for that feature. The soft top module must know the window position in order to operate. Also there is a sliding cover that must be retracted in your trunk in order to operate top. The switch in the cover has to be depressed to let module know that there is nothing in they way of the top operation. Hopefully I have been helpful.