Reverse lights repair n quick how too on soldering

[-Boosty-]

So I smoke my reverse and corner lights the other day, and discovered my reverse lights didnt work at all. So today i set out to find out why. I used the search bar and a thread to find where the reverse sensor was after i bought new lights and seen it wasnt them. I found the clip was completely missing and one connector was ruined. I rummaged threw my electrical drawer and found a fitting, then went to repair.

First thing i did was prep the wire, and connector for solder.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

THE CONNECTOR

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Take both wires and dip em in some flux, solder isnt gonna stick to it if you dont.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

I like to hold my wires vertical so the solder follows the flux and runs under the wire insulator

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Both wires prepped

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

I shrink tube EVERYTHING, its a cheap way to ensure the connection will last and hold up to abuse, dont forget to put it on first, and keep it as far enough away from the solder joint to not shrink it.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Then simply solder the two parts together, check all sides of the joint to make sure u got a cleanly soldered joint.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Time to heat the tape.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Finished product

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

I plugged her in, and slapped some tape around it for some security, it wasnt the best tape job but it was tight quarters in there.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

AND VOILA

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Took me about 20 mins including taking the pics, and it should hold as long as i need it too. Any time you solder something i would advise these techniques, thanks for looking, go fix something.

 

[bryanwheat]

Title said "quick" how too, not a full on in depth how too, not to mention this was a circumstantial solder, not a general "solder every wire like this" instance. Threw in one small line about it not sticking without flux my bad. That joint is FAR BEYOND the strength it needs to be in this application. I'll get back to this thread in two years and show how well that joint has held up. This was no where near a write up, it was a quick fix and sharing of techniques. If you don't think the information is good then move on. I'm not showing the wrong way to do something, it's a different way, that still nets great results.

I am not trying to offend you in any way. I am only pointing out that if you are trying to post a how to on something than i would make sure that it is done to the best possible standard to show the future readers of this thread what is the correct way of doing something like that. I'm glad that it works for you, but i've seen quite a few of those types of joints fail.

 

[-Boosty-]

I am not trying to offend you in any way. I am only pointing out that if you are trying to post a how to on something than i would make sure that it is done to the best possible standard to show the future readers of this thread what is the correct way of doing something like that.

Well I've been drinking, so my apologies if I'm taking things the wrong way, not to mention emotion is lost threw texts/typing.

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

Well I've been drinking, so my apologies if I'm taking things the wrong way, not to mention emotion is lost threw texts/typing.

Trust me - He's like that. But listen to him from time to time. It's how he expresses his criticism. It takes a little getting used to.

No one is saying you're wrong, so we can venture from that. The reason we're expressing this "Twist and Solder isn't needed" point is because the group of us have been doing it for years. Steve is one of the most foremost known individuals here for taking shot ECU's and repairing them to pristine condition. We've been around the block and have our little points to add. It's not meant to be offensive, just meant to inject insight.

As you said, I don't believe you'll be tugging on the reverse lights to tow an F150 with, so that's just fine. Anytime you post up a 'How To', though, expect this sort of response as people always have a different way of doing it.

 

[ramsack]

I'm not against flux. I'm just against it when it's not needed, i.e. using rosin-core solder, and using it to solder smaller wires that heat up instantly. I will use flux when soldering large wires with a mini butane torch. Gravity is not what sucks up solder, the wires strands wick it up past the insulator. It happens to me without flux. I actually don't really care for the effect when soldering wires to pins because it melts the insulation back and the insulation no longer gets crimped for a strain-relief.

 

[BoostedDSM75]

I agree with the Wellers, have had them for years without fail. There are so many techniques out there in soldering, that basically you use what your used to.