greekie
I am awaiting their response about charging me extra for the plastic that was chipped off during the reinstall of the original heatsink (pictures on page 2 of this thread). 
 
With the pictures I sent them, their response was that my warranty is now voided and they cannot help me.

You sure it wasn't caused by installing the hybrid cooler?? Cause the one link above outlined how the edge of the hybrid cooler can break that fan/led connector.

if there was a short circuit, then something burned .. now we will be helped only by the exchange of video card cards in the warranty service..

So I just completed the above tape maneuver.  and at EVGA's suggestion I also re-seated the hybrid unit.  No success for me.  In fact, its worse.  Early benchmarks are 50% the performance of my other 1080ti FTW3.

Okay im ready 

So putting the stock cooler back on its fine again still??

I've reassembled the stock cooler completely only to find the same issue. I guess something have completely altered the GPU by installing the hybrid kit. 
I'm kinda concerned about getting a RMA because small bits of plastic got chipped off from the socket for LED control(although LED works well) during installation.
My local service center allows replacement to a new product within few weeks for initial defects of a product. I don't know if this will work or not but I still have to give it a try.
 
 

Called the technical support and they told me that the card is eligible for RMA.
I'm returning the cooler kit. I don't think I'll looking for another water cooler in the near future. Wasted my weekend because of this thing.
 

Well, suppose the card is changed under warranty. what to do with the cooling kit?

That would be my question as well... would be very skeptical to install it on the new card when it arrives.
 
I wonder if I can still return it to Amazon or not, it's almost been 30 days

Strange how on Amazon there's a lot of positive reviews on the cooler? Bad batch going around?