Petza914

I usually use crimp connectors when doing automotive wire work and I use the waterproof ones where you use a heat gun to shrink the coating down onto the wire. Not only does this keep contaminants & water out of the connection, but it also lightly bonds the connector to the wires on both sides, making the splice more durable and lessening the risk of it coming apart over time.

When I need to attach to a wire that I don't want to cut, I use one of the tap methods - either the kind that go around the wire with the other one in the connector next to it and the blade is squeezed through both using a plier or the one that locks onto the wire and then the additional wire receives a male blade connector that plugs in. I've had good luck with both and I usually use some liquid electrical tape to seal up the ends where the splice is attached onto the wires.

gasongasoff

Alright, you win, Pete. I'll be ordering the cargraphic kit. I still hate the idea of tapping the ABS wiring, though.

Petza914

Wait, what do I win?

Also, just wanted to make sure that you're aware you need Bilstein coilovers or GT3 front suspension for the AirLift to be compatible, at least I think you do.

gasongasoff

Cargraphic airlift kit went in today - well sorta. It doesn't work. The shop and I quadruple-checked all the electrical connections, verified +12V, and the pump works independently - but the remote control doesn't turn on the compressor.

Any ideas?

Petza914

It's been a few years, but this comes to mind off the top of my head.

1. Play around with the mutli-socket electrical plug that goes into the AirLift control brain. Mine was a little loose and unless I put the plug under tension, wouldn't work.
2. I also assume you're using the handheld remote that came with the kit and not the button that replaces one of your Homelink buttons. I bought that kit but couldn't get it to work either, and am just using the handheld remote.
3. I think there may be dip switches in both the remote and the brain that have to be set the same for the 2 to communicate.
4. Is there a battery in the remote and is it a good battery? Any chance it has one of those plastic tabs keeping it fresh that hasn't been removed?
5. Are you trying to use the spare tire compressor that came with the car or an upgraded external one - I'm using the external one and have it connected via and SPDT relay. Control box sends the signal to the relay and relay supplies power directly from the battery to the external compressor.

I attached a couple PDFs that might give you some help or provide some insight - one is the standard installation manual, but the other was for programming the roof console switch.

gasongasoff

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I'm using the cargraphic upgrade compressor. I tested that it works fine when hooked up to 12V by itself.

Thanks, I appreciate that. Mine is a slightly newer version and they sent me updated instructions (the electronics module looks different).

As an update, we completely removed the electronics from the car, and I powered it using a bench 12V power supply (the type used to power a car continuously for a flash upgrade). It still doesn't work. The electronics module does not want to apply a voltage to the compressor relay for any reason.

I'm kind of bummed. I hope cargraphic steps up and doesn't jerk me around.

Petza914

I'm hoping they do too. Should come with a warranty I presume since you bought it new from them. I have a couple contacts there I can look up if you need.

gasongasoff

Things are not going well. Cargraphic is based in Germany, and due to the time difference, I only get maybe 1 email response a day. We're getting nowhere. Apparently, there's no US distributor? And the online retailer I purchased from is providing 0 help.

Petza914

Who did you purchase it from?

gasongasoff

Vivid Racing

gasongasoff

Looks like they've stopped returning emails altogether.

I bet the cargraphics lift kit is great (when it works), but buyer beware - you'll probably get ZERO support if anything stops working and be left with a $4000 set of useless parts.

Petza914

I have some e-mail addresses for contacts at cargrphic, but won't post them here. If you send me an e-mail to petza914@gmail.com I will give you the 3 contacts with e-mail addresses I have. I would contact them directly, explain the situation and see if they can provide you some direct support.

Sports Car Boutique was another authorized cargraphic dealer and I think Mike at RSS carries some of their products as well, as I bought my Cayenne Sport Muffler system from him.

Pete

gasongasoff

Thanks Pete, you rock. I'll reach out to you separately.
It looks like after a few days, Cargraphic just replied back, telling me to check my fuse (because that's not the first thing I checked) and a couple other things...but crossing my fingers.

Petza914

Just checking back in on this to see if you got the kit working and your opinion of it.

gasongasoff

I shipped the control module back to Cargraphic a few days ago. We'll see what they do.