The OP has an OEM connector, but just as an FYI the URO Parts A/T Wire Harness Connector 203 540 02 53 / 2035400253 has received several updates over the last few years.

• Around 2013, we found out some connectors were shipped missing an o-ring, which was resolved.
• In 2016 we removed some excess plastic flash around the main brass plug in the center. (The flash made the plug harder to install.)
• In 2019 we added a warning label letting folks know the o-rings should be lubricated prior to insertion (to make insertion easier).
• In early 2020 we made a running change to fine-tune the position of the pin holes to line up with the pins better. We also received a report than a small percentage of connectors were missing a pin hole, so we inspected 100% of our inventory and scrapped every connector with that issue.

We should receive our first production run of the updated connectors (with the more-accurate pin hole locations) toward the end of 2020, and hopefully this will be put an end to the issues we've had with this part. Once we have the updated version in stock, we'll happy to provide warranty replacements to anyone who had an issue with our connector in the past, all we'll need is your proof of purchase details. (If you're outside of the US, just cover postage. Within the US, we'll cover shipping.)

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Event Video: Cars & Coffee 2023, Simi Valley CA: https://youtu.be/CFfY9CPVuEs
URO Parts online catalog: https://apaindustries.com/catalog

Hey guys, I removed the connector and took a picture, please look at it and tell me if you see anything that us abnormal or if any pins look crooked

Thanks

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
Currently Driving
2006 E320 CDI
1999 E300 Turbo Diesl
2002 ML500
1995 E320 Station Wagon


MBs I've owned
1997 E320 Assassinated by Pine Tree
1987 300E Wife Killed Engine
1981 300D Stretch Limo Total Loss
1970 250 Coupe 212,000 mi.
1974 450sel 184,000 mi.
1974 240D 377,000 mi.
1977 300D 204, 000 mi.
1979 280se God Only Knows!
1983 240D 130,000 mi.
1972 220D 280,000 mi.
1983 300SD 244,000 mi.

Also, there is a cylindrical brass sleeve around the connector screw, it seems as though if the threads were sticking through the screw more then I'd be able to start it and the screw would pull in the connector.

Has anyone else ever had this problem?

__________________
Currently Driving
2006 E320 CDI
1999 E300 Turbo Diesl
2002 ML500
1995 E320 Station Wagon


MBs I've owned
1997 E320 Assassinated by Pine Tree
1987 300E Wife Killed Engine
1981 300D Stretch Limo Total Loss
1970 250 Coupe 212,000 mi.
1974 450sel 184,000 mi.
1974 240D 377,000 mi.
1977 300D 204, 000 mi.
1979 280se God Only Knows!
1983 240D 130,000 mi.
1972 220D 280,000 mi.
1983 300SD 244,000 mi.

you guys needed to tell customers to lube the O rings? really?

__________________
2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

They also forgot to tell customers not to use garbage knock-off parts made by a manufacturer who needed no less than four revisions to get the part to work correctly.

And that's assuming the latest revision does indeed actually work properly... let alone have a lifespan longer than a fruit fly.

__________________
Current rolling stock:
2001 E55 183,000+ Newest member of the fleet.
2002 E320 83,000 - The "cream-puff"!
1992 500E 217,000+
1995 E300D 412,000+
1998 E300D 155,000+
2001 E320 227,000+
2001 E320 Wagon, 177,000+

Prior MBZ’s:
1952 220 Cab A
1966 300SE
1971 280SE
1973 350SLC (euro)
1980 450SLC
1980 450SLC (#2)
1978 450SLC 5.0
1984 300D ~243,000 & fondly remembered
1993 500E - sorely missed.
1975 VW Scirocco w/ slightly de-tuned Super-Vee engine - Sold after 30+ years.

Picture 1 shows the plug cocked the top is 1/3 inch further back than the bottom. Is that causing it to bind?

Dieselbenz, please elaborate....Are you seeing the plug on the conductor plate not in alignment?

I use sunroof grease around o rings and align it give it a forced push

ONLY ATF should be used to lubricate the O rings on the connector.

__________________

All Diesel Fleet
1985 R107 300SLD TURBODIESEL
2005 E320 CDI (daily)

LOTS of parts for sale!


EGR block kit
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355250-sale-egr-delete-block-off-plate-kit.html

1985 CA emissions 617 owners- You Need This!
Sanden style A/C Compressor Mounting Kit for your 616/ 617 For Sale + Install Inst.

Sanden Instalation Guide (post 11):
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367883-sanden-retrofit-installation-guide.html

I see the top pins protroduing the holes and the bottom pins just reaching the holes. Pressure on the bottom may well have seated it. Pressure on the top could have broken it.

__________________
92 e300d2.5t
01 e320
05 cdi
85 chev c10

Hey guys, about a year or so ago, I replaced the conductor plate and the connector with after market parts. I thought it did the trick because the transmission never shifted so effortlessly and smooth.

Then, the connector started to leak and I decided to replace it with an OEM part.... So, maybe the aftermarket conductor plate may be in fact the problem.

When I removed the connector I felt the pins and sensed that the round thing of the conductor plate felt kinda flexy. Not broken but flimsy. I wonder if it is flexing away as I am trying to install the new connector . What I still have difficulty understanding is why the OEM connector is so difficult to seat.

__________________
Currently Driving
2006 E320 CDI
1999 E300 Turbo Diesl
2002 ML500
1995 E320 Station Wagon


MBs I've owned
1997 E320 Assassinated by Pine Tree
1987 300E Wife Killed Engine
1981 300D Stretch Limo Total Loss
1970 250 Coupe 212,000 mi.
1974 450sel 184,000 mi.
1974 240D 377,000 mi.
1977 300D 204, 000 mi.
1979 280se God Only Knows!
1983 240D 130,000 mi.
1972 220D 280,000 mi.
1983 300SD 244,000 mi.

Along with what dieselbenz noticed the latest picture seems to show the conductor plate connection to be not aligned with the case. Maybe it’s the angle of the pictured maybe it follows your comment on the flexibility of the conductor plate.

Is it possible to move the conductor plate connection? That might be the hangup.


Skippy


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

So, in you guys opinion it is hanging up at the top or the bottom?

__________________
Currently Driving
2006 E320 CDI
1999 E300 Turbo Diesl
2002 ML500
1995 E320 Station Wagon


MBs I've owned
1997 E320 Assassinated by Pine Tree
1987 300E Wife Killed Engine
1981 300D Stretch Limo Total Loss
1970 250 Coupe 212,000 mi.
1974 450sel 184,000 mi.
1974 240D 377,000 mi.
1977 300D 204, 000 mi.
1979 280se God Only Knows!
1983 240D 130,000 mi.
1972 220D 280,000 mi.
1983 300SD 244,000 mi.

The new upgraded mercedes part has very thick O rings and it puts up a fight, Ive always used either assembly gel, ATF or even petroleum jelly on the O rings, carefully feel the connector lining up (its a learned feel which can be assisted by placing a small mirror and a flashlight to see inside the hole as you line it up - or use your phone camera to make a video)

once you line it up, push it home and it will somewhat click into place - and then you can tighten that small screw.

I also make sure to literally bathe the wiring in contact cleaner and then rewrap it with proper looming tape.

__________________
2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

The only time I've had issues getting it to seat was when I did not have it clocked correctly.

__________________
Jim