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Had a change of heart

ATL_Rubi

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I’m still hot about it so what better time to throw some shade. Bought my wife Diode Dynamics Elite Max headlights for Christmas. We went to install them today (5hrs total) and we noticed one of the light units had something rattling around inside when you move it. We figured we’d press on and hope for the best. You’ll never guess which one didn’t work once complete???
Too much trouble to go back to factory so now she’s out a truck until we can get a replacement. Very disappointed in Diode Dynamics right now.

View attachment 353211
I mean, not to throw shade but if I received a product that should not rattle, and it rattled, I’d probably not install it. Did you give a heads up to DD prior to installing to get ahead of the problem?
 

Camaroboi13

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You have a picture of the Jeep with the grill off. Should take 5 minutes to swap a headlight out from that point, 10 minutes for both sides. Not sure where 5 hours comes from? When I did my wife’s headlights I didn’t even pull the grill off. Just undid the top plastic screw stuff and leaned the grill forward enough to get a socket in there.
 

Camaroboi13

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if you haven’t installed the DD Elite Max lights, then your not comparing apples to apples. 5hrs is what it took to install them taking our time and routing all the wiring to look like factory. Once all the wiring is done, you can’t just swap back in the factory units.
That explains why I’d never install them in the first place. If you’re cutting and splicing wires then I’d definitely pass on that. Thanks for the explanation ?
 

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Camaroboi13

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Who said anything about cutting and splicing? Perhaps don’t reply until you get a better handle on your reading comprehension.
So you were just moving wires around for 5 hours? That’s where the comprehension is lost. You’re saying you can’t go back to stock because you basically don’t want to move wires around. Am I missing something?
 

Camaroboi13

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Alwaysthinking

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Not to add to your unhappiness but they are now on back order till march.
 

djthumper

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Why can't you just unplug the adapter cables and plug the factory harness into the stock headlights? Tuck the DD adapter harness out of the way for the time being. Done! Back to factory for now.
 

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sharpsicle

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That sucks to hear. Would've been a good idea to test them before starting the install, but 20/20 hindsight and you live and learn. This is a big reason why I bench test electronics before installing them.

So much can happen with electronics, and often it's not the manufacturer in cases like this but shipping damage. Seems unfair to throw shade when #1 DD hasn't been given a chance to make it right and #2 it might not even be DD's fault.

I'm confused on why you're "out a truck" though. You can still use it while you wait for a replacement, no? Or put the stockers back in for the meantime just by unplugging the DD adapter and using the factory connector? No need to remove everything.
 

chorky

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Who said anything about cutting and splicing? Perhaps don’t reply until you get a better handle on your reading comprehension.
I agree with @sharpsicle above. Granted its understandable your upset but man being mean to people trying to help isn't going to get a lot of folks to want to respond and offer suggestions. Maybe DD has a few spares in stock that they can ship out right away considering it sounds to be a warranty situation.
 
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JWM PLAYS

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That sucks to hear. Would've been a good idea to test them before starting the install, but 20/20 hindsight and you live and learn. This is a big reason why I bench test electronics before installing them.

So much can happen with electronics, and often it's not the manufacturer in cases like this but shipping damage. Seems unfair to throw shade when #1 DD hasn't been given a chance to make it right and #2 it might not even be DD's fault.

I'm confused on why you're "out a truck" though. You can still use it while you wait for a replacement, no? Or put the stockers back in for the meantime just by unplugging the DD adapter and using the factory connector? No need to remove everything.
Given that they tap in to existing harnesses, I’m not clear on how you think you can test them before install?

As for shipping damage, given how they are fully packed in spray foam, it would be more likely to me that whatever the issue is developed during shipping but due to an already existing issue or weakness.

About the out of a truck comment, that’s how I’m choosing to proceed for now until I hear from DD. While possible to disconnect the DD harnesses and reconnect the factory, it is no small task as we secured/loomed all the wiring professionally and didn’t do a sloppy job. It will require no small amount of time to abandon the DD harnesses. I’m more hopeful that they can replace the defective unit soon so I do t have to do that.
 

sharpsicle

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Given that they tap in to existing harnesses, I’m not clear on how you think you can test them before install?
Bench testing with a +12v power supply. Same way I'd troubleshoot potentially faulty lights, remove them and feed each circuit from a bench supply.

As for shipping damage, given how they are fully packed in spray foam, it would be more likely to me that whatever the issue is developed during shipping but due to an already existing issue or weakness.
You'd be surprised what can happen in the shipping chain. Dock workers aren't known for being nice to things. Having worked at UPS, FedEx, and DHL, I can attest firsthand that sometimes it doesn't matter how well something is packed, we could still break it and never know.

About the out of a truck comment, that’s how I’m choosing to proceed for now until I hear from DD. While possible to disconnect the DD harnesses and reconnect the factory, it is no small task as we secured/loomed all the wiring professionally and didn’t do a sloppy job. It will require no small amount of time to abandon the DD harnesses. I’m more hopeful that they can replace the defective unit soon so I do t have to do that.
Is this not the wiring you did? Couldn't you disconnect the factory connectors at point G and then run the stocks? Everything else can stay wired, it'll just stay unused and out of the way until the DD's are back in. After all, all the DD wiring does is bring new signals forward, so if they ultimately go nowhere for the time being it's no big deal. No need to make things hard on yourself or undo any of the work. Putting the stock headlights back in should be as simple as disconnecting both at point G and plugging the factory harness back into the factory headlights.

EDIT: I'd also say this is a good thing to make sure you can do just in case of any future issues. Whenever possible, making sure reversion to factory is easily possible will always pay dividends.

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We're all here to help, and I think you've got better options in front of you to get you through.
 
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ShaunTOR

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Why can't you just unplug the adapter cables and plug the factory harness into the stock headlights? Tuck the DD adapter harness out of the way for the time being. Done! Back to factory for now.
OP, I would try this.
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