eatcake

So....it finally happened. Driving home yesterday and started getting erratic shifting and jerking at 30-40 mph.

On the highway, transmission was stuck in 3rd gear. Limped home and had the car towed to dealer for diagnosis.

I'm told that it's the transmission conductor plate that needs to be replaced at a cost of $1170.00 for parts and labor.

Does this seem reasonable for that repair?
Also, it seems like the dealer is waiting to replace this part to see if there are other issues.

Am I going down a rabbit hole with the repairs on this issue? I don't want to replace the conductor plate to find out that I need other costly repairs too.

Not like I have a choice but to do the repair but is $1170.00 a good price for this?

Thanks in advance.

ozusa

circa $250 list for the part only. you could source one for $160-ish

To replace it, they'll need to drain the transmission, drop the transmission pan, remove the filter and a few bolts that hold the conductor, replace the part (it is more or less at the bottom, so access is not too bad), torque it correctly, maybe reset the electronics and change the fluids. It is not the hardest auto transmission job known to man, by any means.

They do not need to totally disassemble the transmission to change the conductor.

So, they want about $850-900 for the labor. I don't think it's that many hours, but I thought around $1100 to get anyone to open a transmission and do anything more than change the filter is not TOO bad. It is neither a bargain nor a total rip-off at a dealer.

You could find an independent to do it for less, but for a dealer that's kind of an OK, unremarkable, price.

zdpittma

I was just told it was going to be $1700.00 to change the Conductor plate in my Mercedes. Told them I do it myself before I pay that or sell the car.

Hybrid42

Feel your pain bro. Btw how much mileage on your car till you have been asked to replace it.

Plutoe

So what is the purpose of your post----don't kick the car, kick the goat!!

zdpittma

50k dont drive alot Wifes car. Doesnt need it yet, but looks like soon. I will do myself for that price. I can get get the part kit for $175.00.

06E5004ME

Seems pretty high for this job. Buy the plate online and have a reputable mechanic replace it. Make sure you get proper transmission fluid. Also, replace the gasket and filter while you're there. Lastly, don't forget to replace the transmission plug as that is most likely why you are replacing the conductor plate.

ttruex

Kent Bergsma has a 6 part youtube video on conductor plate replacement. it isn't much harder than replacing the filter and tranny fluid. There is also a wire connector that should be done, as it tends to leak, and flows up the harness, destroying the TCU. That can/should be done at the same time, and is only a single 7mm bolt.

You'll need a reset of the TCU afterwards as well. The transmission itself seems pretty reliable, it's just the relatively flimsy plastic plate they put inside it that goes south.

It isn't what I would call particularly challenging job, but then, Drag racing/engine fab was the family business when I was growing up. It is one of the more messy jobs, though, as the thing will drip for days. get a big flat pan from one of the auto stores, the kind you buy for a car the constantly drips.

1mbenz99

I am having the same problem 00 CLK are the aftermarket kits out there any good? my local dealer wants $230 shop price , I see them on eBay for $154.

ECSTuning

Everyone -

We have the genuine Mercedes-Benz conductor plate for the 722.6xx automatic transmission on our site for only $231.94*

You can get to the conductor plate by clicking HERE, or by clicking on the photos of the conductor plate below.







While you are at it, now would be the perfect time to replace the Pilot Bushing, or Wiring Harness Spacer, since it has to come out when to remove the conductor plate.

We have the Pilot Busing / Wiring Harness Spacer available on our site. You can get to it by clicking HERE, or by clicking on the photo below.



When you are done, be sure to replace you transmission filter, and re-fill with the proper transmission fluid. We offer complete service kits that include all of the items you will need to replace the transmission fluid.

You can get to the service kits by clicking HERE, or by clicking on the photo of the service kit below.



If you have never changed the fluid in your 722.6xx automatic before, you should be aware that there is no transmission dipstick. In order to be certain that you have added the correct amount of fluid to the transmission, you will need the MB 722.6xx Transmission Dipstick Tool. This tool is what is used at the Mercedes-Benz dealership to measure the amount of fluid in the transmission. We have it available on our site, and you can get to it by clicking HERE, or by clicking on the photo below.



If anyone has any questions, please feel free to post or send a PM!

*Price subject to change.

EMGY

kajtek1

Per my experience lot of conductor plates are replaced when the only fault is plug contamination.
Before jumping the big guns, invest $10 in new pilot bushing and few more bucks for MAF cleaner.
Clean the plug well and put new bushing. If you do it on ramps with front lifted, you will loose only few spoons of ATF, so no immediate refilling necessary. Than if you have car in hard limp, you need SD to clear the codes.
Worked for me when I bought SL500 for next to nothing when young seller was getting $6000 estimates for new transmission.
What shop will take $15 job, when they can quote you $6000 ????

dextergonz

What were your symptoms? My car doesn't run in limp mode, although, my mechanic told me I had a stored code against the transmission. However, when I accelerate quickly, my transmission goes out of gear and I have to stop the car, turn off the engine, remove the key and restart in order to recover. I think in my case it's the conductor plate. The mechanic said he saw no leaks at the connector.

kajtek1

But did he check for leak inside the connector?
If not - he is not much of MB mechanic.
So far sounds like you are getting soft limps. Once you get into hard limp , you'll be sorry.

cetialpha5

Considering the connector is about $14, the mechanic should have just changed it. A Benz tech said it's kind of a standard thing to do with a fluid and filter change.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...tor-2035400053

kajtek1

MB issued buletin few years back, requiring pilot bushing replacement at each transmission service.
Smart sellers made it part of service kit

rwolak

Had the conductor plate and electric connector replaced on a 2003 CLK500 (722.6 equipped) a year ago for $1100 at an Indy.