My 2006 e350 is in need of a new valve body.. I called my local dealer and they advised me that the valve body and conductor plate is a theft related part and can only be ordered & installed by the dealer. Is this true, or can my indy order the part like I was expecting?

 

I don't believe that for a moment. I suggest you contact one of the parts suppliers mentioned on this forum (e.g. Autohausaz) and ask them. You can also ask your Indie. If he doesn't have a good answer, or a belly laugh down the phone at you, try another Indie.

 

Your dealer is correct. I got a new valve body installed on my 2006 E350, and had to sign papers to the effect that I was not buying the part for someone else.

 

The dealer requiring you to sign something is not the same as saying the dealer MUST instal it. Valve bodies are available on-line and are, therefore, not installed by the selling entity.

 

OK... What is a "Theft Related" part?

 

How would the Indy program it? They have to be online to do so and pretty sure only dealers can do that.

 

I thought this only applied to keys !

 

At what mileage did you need the replacement ?

 

Can someone explain or point me where to educate myself on what a valve body exactly is? excuse me for my ignorance in advance, thanks

 

130,000 miles.

 

Yea thanks mut, I thought somebody on the forum would answer kindly as usual but I guess your the unique one aren't you. Do me a favor and do not communicate with me, respond to me, or have anything to do with me on the forum. Right back at you, with a little bit of uh.

 

The valve body itself is usually a piece of metal that looks like a maze, full of ball bearings and springs. It is the pressure of hydraulic fluid within the passages of the valve body that controls the clutches, pistons and other actuators which determine what gear is physically engaged.

Some of these valves are electronically actuated by a computer, and positioned on a "conductor plate" that is atop (or below depending on your orientation) the valve body. This plate contains all of the electrical connections and speed/pressure sensors that the computer needs.

I've referenced this video a few times, where you can see the technician remove the valve body, and see the black conductor plate, and the individual electronically controlled valves.

 

This is true. There is currently a shortage of these parts because every single one of them fails, and mercedes reclassified the part as a theft related (hah!) part about 18 months ago so they could keep them all for themselves. Fortunately, my indy had purchased one for another customer that turned out not to need it, and was able to hold on to it for me when mine inevitably failed (and it did).

It's in part to keep an expensive service like this from the indys, and in part because the demand for these parts can't keep up with the supply. It's also another reason this will be my last mercedes.

 

AHA!

 

Wow!
Well Im going to ask my Indy about this tmrw.

 

My Indy in MD was able to get and install a conductor plate for the trans, no wait, no fuss. He told me that they reclassified them some time ago, before he couldn't get or install. Dealer in FL is doing the Valve Body now and fed me the same "only we can get these parts" BS....he didn't believe me even after showing him them work order from the Indy with the Conductor Plate PN......I hate dealers.....I just haven't found an Indy down here yet.

 

I'm in Florida as well. One of my Indys confirmed that it is NOT possible for them to order it because it is theft related. Another Indy assured they could and said no worries. I guess some may have the abilities too.

 

IDealers are a rip off, I have a 2007 E350 with 722.9 tranny. Dealer quote me $1800.00 got it done for under a $1,000.00. Shipped the part to Bulgaria and got it back in a week. Got a 2 yr. warranty, It has been 2 months now.