ghlkal

I didn’t see this answered anywhere, and maybe this will help someone else. The sacrificial harnesses for the V6 engine have been listed, but …

I wanted some sacrificial wiring harnesses to protect the main engine harness from oil leakage for my 2012 E550 with M278 engine. While the cam position sensors (top) remain clean, the cam magnets (front) might have a little oil leakage in the connectors.

I ordered one of these from FCP Euro, A2711500156, to ensure it would fit and work for $9.29. It does. I then ordered a four pack to do all of the cam magnets for $37.16

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...des-2711500156

While I could replace the cam magnets, for the price, I will use these for now.

vdubpower

so is this a genuine part from MB that they came up afterwards to remedy the leaking or an FCP made part

juanmor40

The page clearly says it is a genuine, not OEM, MB part and it also indicates the MB part number. It was marked as a part for the M271 engine though

ghlkal

Mine had genuine MB markings on it. It was sold by FCP.

S-Prihadi

That is good price at US$43.xx for 4 set rigged ready to use

The connectors alone male and female ones would be like US$4 - 5 each and MB will only sell you the male one.
The female one would be easier to source, but from Europe.

Those looks like Hirschmann 2 pin connector but I do not know which Code.

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Too bad my cam phasor magnet connector is different. I think mine is Kostal and not Hirschmann connector. Must check my master database at home PC.



I would love to get the Kostal female connector if that exist at all as standalone wired version.
I need it for future troubleshooting purpose, not oil migration prevention.

AllPhonesAretap

Genuine question: Does it matter what engine it's for if the connector fits? If it can carry the same signals and voltages and you don't get cam/crank correlation errors... send it?

ghlkal

Well, I'm not an expert, but I would think it is fine. The part I'm using did not state it was for the M278, but it does fit and I've been running them for several thousand miles.

S-Prihadi

Connectors are not made by MB.
If a proper/correct one is selected, it is 100% genuine.
With special keyway and groove at those connectors, only correct one will lock in place.

That FCPEuro wire kit's connector are by Hirschmann Sealstar 1,2 family and the cam phasor magnet so happened uses the same....... so all good like genuine one.

MB can order from a device manufacturer to custom tailor what male connector brand and type it will use, hence the device manufacturer set up its female side to match.
Example, my DI injector is a Bosch, but its connector is using also Hirshmann type because MB wanted its wiring harness to use Hirschmann connector.

Our ECM is using Bosch but the connector is by Kostal.

ghlkal

My first post listed a source for the cam magnets (2 wire). Originally, I could not find connectors for the cam sensors (3 wire).

eBay seller ZZPerformance now carries the cam sensor (3 wire) connectors

And you'll find them here - https://www.ebay.com/itm/115699950640

I have these installed and they are working fine so far.

So, M278 engines can get the sacrificial connectors for both the cam magnets and the cam sensors.

vdubpower

dealer has them. i need to add to my car..pruchased 8.

juanmor40

Would mind posting the part numbers in the receipt? I have only seen the ones for the magnets, not for the position sensors and they are different. Thank you.

mercerized

it does NOT matter. It’s a copper conductor.

PeterUbers

I just did these on my m157 they work nice

tkelley.EClass

So if I'm understanding this, its 8x of these pig tails for the M278. I just got my 14' E550 and the inside of the ECU harnesses were clean but you can see some signs of oil/some other residue on my wires leading up to them which is a bit scary...

PeterUbers

Did you pop off the plugs to the cps and solenoids yet to see if there is leaking oil?

juanmor40

They are 4 and 4, two different type of harnesses. . Unplug them as Peter suggested and also check number of connector pins

tkelley.EClass

Definitely checking tomorrow, I found a video with layman's instructions which I needed as I do VERY little DIY car stuff. I'll wire 220v outlets and tackle any home project under the sun but I'm a pretty lousy mechanic

PeterUbers

they're tricky to get off .. in addition to opening the gray clip you need a right angle dental pick tool to slip under the black plug to actually remove it ... it's a pain but once you get it you'll never have an issue ... it's a redundant lock for the plugs

tkelley.EClass

Yeah it doesn't seem too bad, this guy did a fantastic job summarizing the process.


Will probably check a few "easy" ones tomorrow to be sure the car is safe to drive then get the parts ordered for the preventative setup.

tkelley.EClass

I got my hands on the maintenance records for my "new to me" car this morning and didn't see anything about this type of work being done. At 93K miles, I've decided I'm going to have the local shop in town tackle swapping (and potentially cleaning) all these parts for me as I just don't have the time. Question, I'm looking at these two kits that FCP Euro carries. The second one below (for the Camshaft Position Sensors), does not include sacrificial harnesses. I know these new "green O-ring" sensors are not supposed to leak but if I wanted to be really redundant, which sacrificial harnesses would I buy? Is there anyway to tell by my VIN (WDDHF9BB2EA941414) or do I truly need to check my vehicle?

• Camshaft Solenoid Kit (also called adjuster magnets?): https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...-2761560790kt1
• Camshaft Position Sensor (the harness is built in!): https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...-2769051000kt1

juanmor40

There are harnesses for the camshaft position sensor that FCP Euro does not carry. Here is a link for the full set of harnesses for the M278.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/170915481725

A few weeks ago, FCP Euro mistakenly listed a kit for the camshaft position sensor, and I mentioned the error to "Danny @ FCPEuro" and he corrected the listing by just removing the wrong listed harnesses. For some vehicles, not M278/M276, the harnesses for the CPS and Camshaft Adjusters are supposedly the same.

tkelley.EClass

Awesome, thanks! Also curious... wouldn't one want to pursue OEM parts for this? I believe the OEM ones are $10 each right? Especially for something so critical?

juanmor40

Agree, . But I have not seen the OEM ones for CPS anywhere. I saw the link in another thread, and the OP pointed out the FCP error. I just went directly to FCP to avoid further confusion. I was honestly expecting FCP Euro to be more pro-active and source the appropriate harnesses for listing

tkelley.EClass

Welp, looks like OEM solenoid sacrificial harnesses and rando aftermarket sacrificial harnesses for the CPS. Glad to see that others here have used them and they're working!

I'll report back once all my stuff is done and also give an update on what it does for engine responsiveness.

Thanks everyone as usual, pumped to get this done.