100% Free

No Scanner Needed

Carly logo

lenny_krause1

BMW M4 EDC Failure: Rough Ride Warning Signs & Fix

Hi all! My 2016 BMW M4 (166k km) is giving me headaches with what seems to be a suspension issue. The warning light on my dash is on, and the ride feels really rough, barely any damping effect. Also got an error code stored in the system. Pretty sure it's related to the electronic damper control, but after a bad experience with my previous mechanic, I'm hesitant about where to take it. Has anyone dealt with similar symptoms on their M4? Would love to hear about your experiences and recommendations for fixing this issue. Thanks in advance!

4 comment(s)

barbaranacht22

Hey there! I actually faced a similar issue with my 2019 BMW M2 Competition last year. The symptoms were identical, warning light, harsh ride, and error codes pointing to the EDC (Electronic Damper Control). Turned out the wiring harness connecting to one of the dampers was damaged, causing intermittent connection failures. The insulation had worn through, creating a short circuit. Initially thought it was the damper itself, but thankfully it was just the wiring. The fix involved replacing the wiring harness and checking all connector points. It wasn't a major repair in terms of complexity, but it definitely needed proper diagnostic equipment to pinpoint the exact issue. The car's been running perfectly since then. Given your mileage and symptoms, I'd suggest getting it checked soon, driving with faulty dampers can affect other suspension components. Find a shop that specializes in BMW M cars, they'll have the right diagnostic tools for these electronic suspension systems. Best of luck with the fix.

lenny_krause1 (Author)

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful, sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. You've put my mind at ease knowing it might just be a wiring issue rather than the whole damper unit. Did you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the repair? Also, has everything been running smooth since then, or have you noticed any other suspension-related issues pop up?

barbaranacht22

Hey again! Happy to give you an update! After taking it to the mechanic last week, it turned out to be exactly what I suspected, just a faulty cable connection to the damper. The total bill came to 95 € for replacing the damaged wiring and checking all the connections. Way better than having to replace the entire damper unit! The car's been running absolutely perfect since the fix. The ride quality is back to normal, that annoying warning light is gone, and the damping adjustment is working just like it should. It's amazing what a difference a proper connection makes! No other suspension issues have shown up at all. Really glad I could help point you in the right direction. These electronic systems can seem scary at first, but sometimes it's just simple wiring problems. Don't hesitate to ask if you need any other info about the repair. After going through it myself, I know how worrying these suspension warnings can be!

lenny_krause1 (Author)

Thanks so much for getting back to me! I actually just got my car back from the shop yesterday. You were spot on, it was a wiring issue after all. The mechanic found a frayed wire near the rear right damper that was causing all the trouble. My repair ended up being a bit pricier than yours at 180 bucks, but still way better than replacing the whole damper! The car feels like new again, no more rough ride or warning lights. Such a relief it wasn't anything major. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, it helped me avoid panicking and gave me a good idea of what to expect. Would have probably spent way more if I'd gone in blind thinking I needed new dampers. Funny how these high-tech cars can be brought down by something as simple as a damaged wire! Anyway, thanks again for your help. Now I can finally enjoy driving my M4 properly again!

Join the discussion now: