How do I solder a broken wire on my car ?
(2011-01-16 15:20:49) 1. Says: I'm try to figure out why my car wont start and I found a broken wire on a connector under it today .The wire broke right by the connector so there's about a 1/8" peice of wire coming out of the connector that I ave to reatatch . I striped the rubber coating off of it and the and about a 1/4" off the other end . I'll have to solder it because peice coming out of the connector is so small .
I've only soldered once with a torch and my dads help installing a water heater , neber on a wire or elecrical connector .
I know I have to use a soldering iron but I'm not sure how to do it and have never tried it . I have the stuff to do it soldering iron , flux and silver solder but I need to know exactly how to do it .
My dad past away last year so unfortunataly I don't have his knowledge anymore .
Any help would be greatly apreciated , thanks .2. Says: I have to disagree with Dr + Miss Bears Face. The "chocolate block" might be the quicker fix, but in the long run, it doesn't offer that solid, complete connection. Soldering, in my opinion, is the only correct way to repair or otherwise join wires. The solder is very electrically conductive, allowing for little resistance in the circuit, and it bonds well to copper, which is what most wires are made of, and therefore making a solid joint and/or connection which assures no shorts or intermittent operation.
Now, as for performing a solder repair, you need a soldering iron, flux, and rosin core solder. Now, provided there's enough slack, I normally cut the damaged ends off and strip the wire sheath about 1/2 inch back to expose fresh, clean wire. Then join the wires by pressing the two ends together and wiggling them around a little to get the wire strands to interweave into each other, then give the strands a twist to keep them held together. At this point, you've created the joint (no rhyme intended). Now, take your flux and spread it all over the joint. After that, take your soldering iron, hold the trigger and let it get hot, then take your solder and let some melt on the tip of the iron. Then take all that to the joint and the solder should flow into the joint and fuse the wire together. Then melt a little more solder around the outside of the joint to finish the job. Now let the soldered joint cool for a minute or two, then you can wrap the wire in electrical tape, shrink tubing, or whatever is appropriate. Good luck.3. Says: Hi,
Buy a cheap soldering gun (pencil type) or one at a hobby shop. Clean the wire with a knife or scraper. Use risen core solder. Put the solder on the tip of the tool then onto the wire and add a little more. Tape it well or you can use shrink tube. Then you just heat the tube with a lighter.
Sorry about your dad. Lost mine in september.4. Says: Hi brian
don't bother with the solder just get a plastic block called a chocolate block and some wire of the same size and strip a small piece and reconnect it. the chocolate block has screw terminals which means this becomes a five minute job and it is fixed.5. Says: prepare both ends to be connected with liquid flux and soft solder after peeling back about 12mm.Doing both ends before connecting allows for less heat requirement to connect. This will allow you to put the soldering iron in one hand and not drop either wire away from point of contact. Make sure you have allowed enough loose wire so that the problem will not reoccur.After the first joint is connected put two lenghts of shrink fit ( allow 25mm longer than the joint you are assembling)over the sheath( the plastic wire coating) which will allow one for each joint. After the second joint is connected wait two minutes for the heat to disburse and then put shrink fit over each joint and shrink with a cigarette lighter or a match. There is a glue that is waterproof in the shrink fit so your problems are now solved. Tag: How do I solder a broken wire on my car ?