Desperate for any help here my friends! I've had my 2003 Jaguar S type R in the shop for 3 months while they search for a "Contractor Plate" aka "Lead Frame".
That's what they called it anyways. They were servicing my transmission, replaced some clutches (which I question if they even needed to since it's still
throwing the car intro reverse and presenting the same problems as it did when I took it in). They said it's a computer related issue stemming from a bad
contractor plate aka lead frame. Does this make sense to anyone? This is not my area of specialty. They said if I could find the replacement part it would be
around $300, OR I have to order the entire thing for $3400!! I already owe them $3000 for the clutch replacements.

The way they explained it to me is that this piece can get dirty and will send bad messages to the computer for the transmission.

They said I have a ZFHP26 transmission and it's an M-Shift. If anyone has anyone input I'd greatly appreciate it!

 

Excuse me. The office lady misspoke, it's a "Conductor Plate" that I'm in search of.

 

They must be able to provide a part # (& whether that's ZF or Jaguar part #).

 

absolutely. It may be part of the tcm

 

Turner Classic Movies? I remember that!

 

yeah the movies were great but i did not like when they colorized them. Looked kinda like a cartoon

 

We still have them but that isn't helping Ed much.

 

Yeah and the picture quality was reduced too. But I’d better keep on topic or the mod with catsigate us.

See what I did there? Now it’s on topic because I mentioned ’cat’. I had a Scottish friend who told me she got her jag today. I said, “Ooh nice! What size engine?”
She replied, “No, my inoculation jag.” 🙄
I don’t get it. Why do Scots call a ‘jab’ a ‘jag’?

Now I’ve mentioned ‘Jag’ three times aswell; that should keep the mod happy. Ooh look, I did it again!😄

 

From what i have found conductor plate is another term for tcm. AKA trans control module. There is a place that can repair and program them called softelectronics in europe. Or you can get a used one and hope it is ok and reprogram via sdd software. You can also check with an outfit called A1 transmission in the new york area. Gary ferraro is the man there and very willing to help with questions i have found. Here is the repair website. https://www.softelectronic.com/

 

Ed please help us help you??
Where are you located as that makes a big difference in our suggestions.

If in the US I have used and recommend The CTSC. They deal ONLY in ZF transmissions and carry any and all parts.
Just to get all of us using the same terms in the ZF world that TCM/Plate/valve body and other names is called the "Mechatronic" portion of the transmission by ZF. This includes the entire valve body plus the solenoids which can be changed too. Here is a complete Mechatronic unit for your car.
S-Type Mechatronic for ZF 6 Speed



The blue and yellow parts are the solenoids and you will hear people talk about installing a new set of "Blue" or "Black" solenoids.
Yes it's expensive at almost $2220! It is rare that that needs replacement and I "think" your mechanic "might" be talking about replacing the seal's inside the transmission?




I have circled the part I am talking about.
As that is a know leaker and will cause transmission shifting issues.
If your unsure maybe show these pictures to your guy and see if I am anywhere close to guessing correctly??
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Thank you so much for your quick response! I'm located in central Florida, just outside Orlando. I believe what they're looking for is a part
of the TCM/mechatronic. They said my solenoids are okay, as is the rest of the TCM, however, the "conductor plate" needs replaced. They said it can
get dirty and worn, and things don't communicate efficiently enough. I've included a picture of what I think they're talking about. It's been
tough trying to get anyone on the phone. I'm driving up there now to see if I can get more specific part information. I know they said the part
would be $200-$300, and if I replaced the entire thing I'm looking at $3000! I think the conductor plate plugs into the solenoids?

And thanks a lot for the link to CTSC. I'm going to also reach out to them.

 

So they explained it as essential the TCM, aka Conductor Plate, aka Mechatronic. I don't need the solenoids, valve body, etc.,
just this one specific part, which no one can seem to find in 2 months of searching. I've included three pictures from the mechanic
taken off of my car. They include the parts numbers... Btw. I'm located in central Florida.

 

Call or email softelectronic in bulgaria. Or call a1 trans Gary Ferraro in new york. Your conductor plate can be fixed. Here is the website. https://www.aaa1transmissions.com. Gary deals with softelectronic a lot. Ask him if you can send your tcm to him and he make arrangements for you. Google gary ferraro on youtube and watch some of his zf videos. He has 2 i know off that deal specificaaly with the mechatronic and sending it to softelectronic. Check this one. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PBjy7EKD6EM

 

Thanks a lot. I looked into the entire mechatronic part you shared ($2200), figuring worse case scenario, however, they doesn't
appear to fit my car, as my model is an R type. I email the company. Hopefully, they can help. I'm really running out of ideas here...

 

I LIKE that repair idea!! Thanks for the contact.
I would chase that up. I hate buying new expensive parts when they can be repaired.

Yes you can see this part directly under the solenoids I posted above. Glad to see you can it separate because I thought that ZF did not provide that as a service part?
They only recommended complete mechatronic replacement?
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