99 ML430 - Conductor assembly?
 

I was just told I need a conductor assembly for my 1999 ML430. What exactly is this (conductor plate?) and how much would this type of repair cost? Can an indie do this type of work or would a dealer, transmission specialist or MB specialist be a better bet? Thanks guys.

JD

That part in the transmission, conductor plate is a printed circuit board that has the 6 solenoids that engage the different clutch packs & torque converter lock-up.

Takes a "good" tech about 2-2.5 hrs. somewhat a simple job.

Dealer vs. indie doesn't matter since it's an easy job. If you go with an indie, make sure they have the MB transmission dipstick so they can properly re-fill after the job is done. The job would cost about $650 at my dealership. The job would include the conductor plate, pan gasket, filter, fluid, and electrical connector.

Thanks for the details!

Hmmm...I'm right outside of Washington DC and was quoted $1,000 by an indy and I'm not 100% confident as he's never done this on an ML (plus I told him I thought it was the conductor plate and he told me no it wasn't, then a day later he called me back and said I need a conductor assembly :confused:). If I'm calling the dealer to get an idea of what they would charge, should I ask them what the price would be to replace the conductor assembly? Is that the correct verbiage for the procedure?

JD

You do the math...
2-2.5 hrs at local rate & possibly 1 hr to scan & erase codes.
$210. MB 140-270-11-61 (conductor plate)
$12. MB 203-540-02-53 (connector)
$80 MB fluid
$18 MB 140-277-00-95 (filter)
$12.50 MB 140-271-00-81 (pan gasket)

Looks more like $600-650 to me,

jad-where are you? i used to be in fairfax and am real familiar with most of the indies up there. 1k sounds a little steep. maybe i can steer you to someone who can actually do the job. lemme know if i can help, chuck.

I'm in Ashburn. The indie in question is Curry's Auto. They have gotten really expensive as they have grown from 2 shops to 6. Would appreciate any direction on indies, maybe JCP in Alexandria???

I'll call American Service Center and EuroMotorcars to see what those 2 dealers would charge.

jad-i know who currys is. i was up in ffx. approx. 5 yrs ago on a visit and remember them being just 2 stores.

the big question is do they have the factory tool to reset the trans adaptation after the plate is changed? i doubt they do.

talk to silver star motors in vienna 340 Mill St, Vienna, VA 22180 703-281-5606. they've been there forever and SHOULD have the tool. i don't know them, just of them. there was a euro guy in ashburn/sterling named svg? or something. i think it's ashburn european now. them i've seen on the net but haven't a clue as to what they're all about. the guy i'd go to in a heartbeat is down in stafford, quite aways from you. he's an ex-dealer tech from the store fredericksburg. eurotech on U.S. 1. hate to say, i've not talked to them in a while so i don't know if they're still around. there's also don pool in falls church, but it's been awhile since i was through there, too. hit the phone book and cross your fingers. like i said, 1k seems high. good luck, chuck.

Silver Star (excuse my French) BLOWS! The owner there (Peter I think?) tried to rip me for a new transmission for $7,000 :eek: I don't need a new transmission, obviously. He either totally blew the diagnosis, which for a Mercedes only shop is a disgrace, or he was trying to rob me.

Is the guy in Stafford's shop named Eurotech? Is it on Rt 1? Did I read your post right?

Did he explain his diagnosis? Maybe he discovered that the adaptation data is at it's limit. This would be a good reason to replace/re-build the transmission. He may be doing you a favor by not letting you throw good money away by fixing something that's only going to break again anyway.

All he said was, "You need a new transmission." I told him there were no gears grinding or slipping and the transmission felt ok, but it seemed like a speed sensor or something is screwed up and not communicating properly. All he said after that was that the transmission did not have a speed sensor and I would have to replace the whole thing.

Get a second opinion.

The sad thing is, I have had four shops look at the truck. Three of them were MB only/specialty shops. After the first three failed, I took several months to research the symptoms on the internet. After lots of reading, I thought it might be the conductor plate. Shop #4 said I needed to replace the conductor assembly which sounded pretty close to what I had found in my own research. Their price just seemed a little high IMO, $975-$1,000.

I don't know why these other shops haven't been able to correctly diagnose the problem :confused: Can't be that hard...

The trans does have a couple speed sensors, they are part of the conductor plate, not available seperately, so the one who mentioned speed sensor is on the right track.
Gilly

Oops, except that was the same guy who is trying to sell you the whole trans.