Well, a few weeks back I had a friend help install my boost gauge.

Anyways, when taking off or putting the column cover back on, it snagged on one of the wires that goes to the white box that detects whether the key is in the ignition or not (that damn screw port that goes up so high)

So I need to solder this wire back and was wondering if anyone has any tips?

I heard that your only supposed to use 60/50 solder.

Thanks in advance.

 

i'm not sure about the specific type of solder, but i always make sure i sure something with a flux core.

how much wire do you have to work with? if i remember correctly the ignition wires are pretty short.

generally with normal wire to wire soldering i will strip about 1/2 an inch off of each wire, braid them together and then heat them with soldering iron until they are hot enough to melt the solder themselves without touching it to the iron.

then i use either black tape or some of those shrink tubes to cover it well and make sure no bare wire can touch anything and cause a short.

 

Did you actually break the wire in half? It sounds more like you pulled the wire out of it's clip.

 

That was one of my main concerns.

The wires are so so short. In fact, it looks like it ripped right at the end.

The tip of one part of the wire is connected to a little metal plate that sits in the box and then the other one is so short I think it's going to be very difficult to get these two back together.

I'll take some pics if you want.

 

60 50 isnt a solder, you want to use 60 40, its the ratio of lead to tin.

 

Ah sorry I meant 60/40

 

can you get some pics of it? i might be able to help you considering i have alot of soldering experience.

 

+1

I have soldered a bunch as well. It would be good for us to see what you are dealing with.

 

I'll get some pics up hopefully later today. Right now I only have my cell phone and that is a tight squeeze with some bad lighting.

Thanks guys.

 

Here ya go...I got a picture someone else took:



The end that goes to the white box is connected to a metal plate and this is the end that got cut off.

The little piece of wire thats left is still connected to the metal piece that sits in the white box. I really don't there is enough wire sticking out of it to make a secure connection between the two.

 

How much slack to you have on the bottom wire? Is there any at all?

 

on that, because you dont have much slack, you would most likely need to remove it and the harness that it is connected to in order to properly solder it.

 

Thats what I suggest as well.

 

Alright well next quick question.

That is SUCH a tight spot to be in...layin on the floorboard is no fun.

How easy is it to remove the bottom panel below the steering wheel? I only seen two screws, is that it?

 

it's been a long time since i have taken that off, but if i remember correctly it is two screws and either one or two clips that you can pop out.