Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Communication Circuit Wiring Repair
The following procedure is to be used to service both the twisted pair wiring and single wire communication circuits. Durability of a wire splice is dependent on getting a joint that does not oxidize. Soldering is effective in keeping the air (oxide) out of the joint electronic circuits. Very high current circuits may fail because of oxidized joints that are not visible with the naked eye.
Durability of a splice is also dependent on keeping the moisture out of the joint. Heat shrink tubing alone won't do it. The tubing must contain a "hot melt wax" which is squeezed from the ends (both ends) of the tubing during heating and forms an adhesive seal between the wire insulation and the tube.
- Correctly strip the wire. See Fig 1 .
- Twist and solder the wire. See Fig 2 . Use Resin core Mildly Activated (RMA) solder. Do not use acid core solder.
- Form (bend) the circuit into shape for sealing. See Fig 3 .
- Reposition shrink tubing over splice. See Fig 4 .
- Using Rotunda Heat Gun (107-R0301) or equivalent, heat the entire length of the shrink tubing until the hot wax comes out of both ends. See Fig 5 . When the hot wax flows out of both ends, remove heat.
NO RELATED
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- β’ You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- β’ Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- β’ The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- β’ You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- β’ You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.