Help!! - KW DDC Install Wiring

[DeTh]

So I'm in the process of installing my KW DDC's. Everything is installed, the rear wiring is done with no problems and no codes.

I go to splice into the front connectors to connect the dampeners, and the wires coming from the shock (red and white) are different than the wires coming from the cars EDC connector (blue and white). I tried connecting them both ways (red to blue, white to white; red to white, white to blue), and the car throws a chassis malfunction both times.

I am 100% sure it is front wiring that is causing the problem, because when I plug the EDC connector into the stock shock, the error goes away. This is for both of the front shocks.

Obviously Im going to call KW on Monday but maybe there's just a solution Im not seeing

[Akkord29]

What was the resolution?

[DeTh]

Originally Posted by Akkord29

What was the resolution?

Flipping the wires blew the shock. Needed to be replaced.
The correct wiring is blue to white, white to red if I remember correctly. No mention of this in any of KW’s guides, even with the included plugs the problem would still be the same. You would think it would have been included or at least mentioned!!

[DavidSL]

You may need to find someone more professional to do this.

[DeTh]

Originally Posted by DavidSL

You may need to find someone more professional to do this.

You would think so…. Except I brought it to a shop and they flipped the other side and blew the other shock. I now have to take them to small claims

[M3SQRD]

It’s shocking KW expects you to splice wires but they use different color wires and provide to instructions. Bad one KW.

[DeTh]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

It’s shocking KW expects you to splice wires but they use different color wires and provide to instructions. Bad one KW.

Completely agree. Let me explain it fully just for those in the future running into similiar issues:

KW supplies new connectors that you are actually supposed to use, but this requires you to CUT into the factory harness (I absolutely did not want to do this) and splice their new connector in. This would also eliminate the ease of being able to go back to stock. Nor would this have fixed my issue as you could have still flipped the wires in one of the connectors. I dont get why they didn't use a plug that plugs directly into the factory harness.
I decided instead to purchase OEM shock connector wires (about $30 each) from BMW so that I didn't have to cut my harness and so that I could go back to stock in the future easier.

Here is my issue:
I wired the rears first using this method. The rear shock wires were the same color as the factory connector wires (red and white), so there was nothing to mess up! I did red to red and white to white. 0 problems.

But BMW decided to use blue and white for the fronts (KW did not follow in suit). When I discovered this, I figured (wrongfully so), that the white went to white, and red went to blue.

Per KW Install Instructions:
"Attach the cable grommet on the damper wire. Push the pins completed into the supplied connector until to the lock. The pinposition/ cable colour is not relevant"

Was not happy when I discovered the shock was shorted. They are $1200 each.

[M3SQRD]

Thanks for the info. I’d have fought hard with KW about replacing the two F dampers. It’s their fault the dampers failed. $1200/damper sounds steep for replacement dampers only (not requiring new springs and top mounts)

[DeTh]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

Thanks for the info. I’d have fought hard with KW about replacing the two F dampers. It’s their fault the dampers failed. $1200/damper sounds steep for replacement dampers.

I purchased them used, so no warranty. I got the whole set for 600 bucks, so I cant really complain too much. I know the coils I bought were in complete working order before. I still have yet to do my passenger side after the shop blew that side (the shock is sitting in my garage as we speak). I was actually planning to do that this weekend... but as you know I just blew my motor

[Akkord29]

Did they give you an explanation on the "The pinposition/ cable colour is not relevant"

Do you recall the part number on the connectors you bought?

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by DeTh

I purchased them used, so no warranty. I got the whole set for 600 bucks, so I cant really complain too much. I know the coils I bought were in complete working order before. I still have yet to do my passenger side after the shop blew that side (the shock is sitting in my garage as we speak). I was actually planning to do that this weekend... but as you know I just blew my motor

$600 for a complete KW DDC setup is fricken awesome. Still, I’d be pissed at KW for failing to provide complete instructions. At least a discounted set of F dampers would have been a great goodwill gesture. Yeah, sorry to read about your engine. Sounds like you’ve a great lead on an existing built engine.

[DeTh]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

$600 for a complete KW DDC setup is fricken awesome. Still, I’d be pissed at KW for failing to provide complete instructions. At least a discounted set of F dampers would have been a great goodwill gesture. Yeah, sorry to read about your engine. Sounds like you’ve a great lead on an existing built engine.

Haha yes it was an absolutely amazing deal. I honestly thought I was going to get shipped a box of rocks (Paypal G&S came in clutch, thankfully didnt need it). I was definitely upset at KW but I understand that they can't warranty a second handed item that they couldnt verify was working before I got them. If I have issues with these shocks I will definitely pitch more of a fit.

Once I get the motor process started and I know everything is lining up right, I'll post all of the pricing and information for other forum members to learn from. It might make some people jealous
(Sneak peek, I'm getting Pure S2+'s for 3 grand )

[DeTh]

Just to update this thread, I resolved the issue. For anyone DIY’ing this, buy two rear EDC cables to splice to the KW DDC front shocks. The wire colors match (red/white) unlike the original fronts (blue/white iirc), and solve the issue of the shocks blowing.

I finally wired these and the coils are absolutely amazing. It feels so planted in sport plus and pretty comfortable in comfort.

[cryptz]

Im a bit thrown off by this. First off i have these on my car, there is no splicing of wires, the struts come with connectors and pins and you just put the pins in the connector after you feed them through the car. Depin if you need to, dont cut anything.. Also the orientation of the wires did not matter. I followed this guide, which shows the parts laid out nicely. Maybe im missing something but the process you are going through doesnt seem to match up with what i experienced or what is outlined here: https://frontstreet.media/2018/07/09...lover-install/

I think you are mis diagnosing why these are being blown, the orientation shouldnt matter, they likely failed for another reason. i believe its just completing a circuit, so orientation wouldnt matter..