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.

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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.

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.

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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

Hey guys, if you look at the other pictures that I've posted on this thread with the connector in place, I think they suggest that it is clocked correctly as the odd shaped dowels on the conductor plate connector are lined up!

__________________
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.

Hey guys, I purchased an OEM conductor plate that comes with OEM connector, filter, pan gasket and drain plug washer.

NEVER, EVER, EVER use aftermarket parts fir this transmission.... The conductor plate that I installed a year sgo was flimsy and the reason that I could not get the new connector in was because the pin hooder was moving to much.

I installed the new connector into the new conductor plate and heard that "POP" sound ehen it seats. I literally took me two minutes to put it in.

Thanks guys for all of your help, observations and patience!!!

__________________
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.