I started yesterday to install my first mod, a Dinantronics Sport module and it has not been going well.

My problem is that I am a big person / have big hands and it is has been difficult to disconnect the wiring harness from the pressure sensor. I've got the instructions from Dinan, watched many YouTube install videos, just don't have enough space to work my hand to slide back the light gray clip. After an hour + and trying every small tool I had, I went and bought a pick and hook set. Today after another 30 minutes I managed to gently slide the clip back... but as I was using a pick to put some downward pressure on it to release the catch holding the connector, the light gray clip came out all the way, and is now lost somewhere in the engine bay.

The connector to the pressure sensor is still firmly attached, the car drives fine.

So some questions:

Do I need to take the car to the dealer and get that connector replaced?

Is it possible to get a small screw driver into the connector to release the connector and continue with the Dinan Sport install?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.


Connector without light gray release tab

Not much space with the radiator hose

 

Don't beat yourself up too much, I did the exact same thing when I originally installed my Dinan Sport. I simply used a small zip-tie to hold the connector together. Once I got tired of the check engine lights/errors, I pulled the module and went back to stock...using a zip-tie on the factory connector and haven't looked back. My guess is that you would need to go to either a dealer for a new connector/harness or maybe a pick-n-pull yard to snag one off a wrecked car. Wish I had better info, but figured I would relay my experience.

 

@WhatV8 - thanks for the reply and thoughts on Zip ties. I finally got a hold of DINAN Support after long weekend, he said the same thing use a zip tie, but even with the gray tab out / gone I can not get the connectors apart to install the DINAN Sport in between.

Did you use some sort of tool to act like the gray tab to leverage the connector to open?

I’d take the car back to the dealer if needed to replace the connector, don’t have the skills to rewire a connector/ splice a used one in.

After your comment about the CELs you got from the DINAN Sport (echos my Mini Service Managers comments) I think maybe I’m just going to send the module back get a refund, zip tie the factory in place. Do you have a picture of how you secured yours?

Thanks!

 

Got the turbo boost pressure sensor connector zip tied in place and just waiting for DINAN to send me my RA number for my D Sport return.


Two smaller ties worked better for me than one larger.

 

You beat me to getting a pic, but pretty much the exact same setup on mine, except my ties are black. I used (2) ties as well, since trying to thread a single one was too much of a pain. I too wish the Sport module worked w/o tripping lights, having the extra 5lbs of boost on the 'max' setting was nice. I have my Mustang for making angry turbo sounds anyway, no need to shorten my DD's lifespan.

 

I too had the CEL issue with the Dinan Sport Module. It eventually found a place in the round file. Went the tune route with Dinan flashing the ECM. Real hoot to drive now....

 

Since this car is my daily driver I thought that the DINAN Sport module would be a nice, not too costly approach for a little more pick up, AND since I could use the app I knew I could put it in stock mode if I couldn’t fill up with 90+.

I don’t think you can do that with the DINAN Flash. ?

Does anyone have experience with the DINANTRONICS X plug in module, throwing CELs, etc?


@gearhead60 - Did you take the ECU out yourself and send it in, or did you work with a tuner shop?

Thanks

 

@gearhead60 - Did you take the ECU out yourself and send it in, or did you work with a tuner shop?

I removed the ECU myself and sent it in to Dinan to be flashed. At the time, I had access to a work vehicle I could drive, while the car was down. ECU is next to the battery and not too difficult to remove.

 

I too contemplated the Dinan flash option, but never pulled the trigger. You could just rent a car for the time you are down. Sure it adds cost, but it allows you to get the job done. When my oil filter housing took a crap this past winter, I did just that, rented a local car for $19/day while I got the necessary parts and did the repair. Was less than $100 for the total rental and well worth the peace of mind while doing the work and way, way less than if I had taken my car to a shop for the repairs and still had to rent a car. YMMV.

 

I have the dinantronics X module, had it on for a little more than 5000 miles on my Clubman. No cels or any other problems. Noticed a nice bump in power and also enhanced some of the turbo noises. I would recommend if you can't go dme tune. That being said, I am looking at going with the Dinan dme tune, I want more power than what the dinantronics X module can provide.

 

Thanks for sharing your experience with the dianantronics x module. While the dme tune is less expensive and provides more than the x module I am still interested in the x because I like the idea of the app and the ability to change the map settings. Need to think about it more and try to figure out if / how to repair the turbo boost pressure connector clip… need to talk to my dealer and some local “Werks” shops that service Minis / BMWs.
I’m not in a rush.
Thanks!!