Apexi AVCR uninstall/General wiring questions

[markp]

Hello, I bought my dsm with an AVCR already installed and after failed attempts at trying to control boost after I installed a 16g, I decided to switch over to an MBC.

Today, I tried disconnecting the AVCR but didn't know the safest way to disconnect the wiring from the ECU. I've never soldered anything together before so I was wondering if anyone could give me some tips on how I should do this, or any sites on how to solder/tap wires.

Can I just cut them off as close to the ecu as possible?

This is where I'm at right now:

 

[snowborder714]

From a set of instructions I found, it looks like there's 6 wires tapped into the ECU. Is that correct?
(wiring manual - http://www.fd3s.net/avc-r_manual_wiring.pdf)

Just follow those wires back to the crimp and see what color ECU wire is on the other side.

My guess is:

AVC - ECU
Red - Black/Red, large gauge wire, pin 25
Purple - Green, small gauge wire, pin 1
Green - Black, large gauge wire, pin 26
Black - Black, large gauge wire, pin 26
Gray - Brown/Red, small gauge wire, pin 84
White - Yellow, small gauge wire, pin 86

(2g ECU pinout diagram - http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-tuning-ecu/281763-2g-turbo-ecu-pinout-w-wire-colors.html)

I would find the other side of the ECU wire (if it's been cut in half). If it's just been tapped into, then it should be easy to fine. I would then cut the AVCR wires off on the ECU side of the crimp (so that the crimp is still on the AVCR wire). You want as much wire coming out of the ECU as possible. This way it'll be easy to strip it and solder. Then just solder the two ECU wires back together.

To learn how to solder, just go on google or youtube and search for how to solder. There will be a bunch on links to get you started in the right direction. It is not hard to do, but will take a bit of practice to get good and neat.

You'll need:
-a cheap Wal-Mart/RadioShack soldering iron
-some solder (just go to your local electronics store and tell them what you plan on doing and they'll find you the best solder)
-some heat shrink tubing (get the appropriate size for the wires you'll be soldering)

Then just get some wire you may have laying around the house and start practicing. Don't touch the ECU wiring until you feel comfortable after you've practiced. Just try and get the solder as neat and even as possible with no globs. I may take you a few hours, but you'll be fine.

 

[markp]

Thanks for the information. I think the wires have just been tapped into the ecu wiring [I see wires from the AVCR joining with ecu wires at crimps and then just 1 wire after the crimp going to the ecu (this is tapping right?) ].

If I were to cut the avcr wires from the avcr side of the crimp, would the remaining crimp with a piece of avcr wire in it be an unstable connection for the original ecu wire?

Thanks again

 

[snowborder714]

Yes, that is a form of tapping.

If you just cut the AVCR wire going into the crimp, it shouldn't be an unstable connection (but that all depends on how good of a connection is made in the crimp). I personally wouldn't trust it, but then again, I'm a neat freak and would hate to see all those crimps in there. Plus, if you were to cut the crimp out and solder the ECU wires back together, you'd know you have a good connection.

 

[markp]

Alright, gotcha. I think I know what to do now. Thanks so much for your help

 

[snowborder714]

No problem.

Good luck!

And once you start soldering, you'll ever wonder how you lived with crimping! I used to crimp everything, and one I learned how to solder, I basically haven't touched my crimps. It's fast, easy, and much more trustworthy (even if you do crappy job) than crimps.

 

[markp]

Actually I have 1 more question. I don't know if it's the norm to use plastic crimps like the ones I have in my picture. but is there anyway to open those up to save that length of wire? Or are crimps a 1 time use thing?

 

[snowborder714]

Crimps are a one time use thing. It is possible, but it's definitely not worth it. I've tried it before, and in the end, it just got chopped off. You'll only be losing about 1/4" of wire, if that. Just chop them out.