QuestionQUESTION: Hi Jason! Me again! SO I attempted to re-wire my car stereo. When the lights are ON, it works! but the sound crackles. When the lights are OFF, it only turns on, no sound.
Since I cut the wires to my factory harness, I had just re-wired the wires to the new wires from the stereo. They were cut very short so I cannot re-wire them, but do you know where I can buy a new one? Or can I insert them somehow?
Any help is appreciated :)
ANSWER: Hi Kristina,
Crackling sound is usually a product of a poor electrical connection somewhere. Try checking the wires to make sure they're properly connected. No sound coming out when the lights are off though sounds like something is still not connected to the right wire. Sounds like the accessory is hooked up to the factory dimmer/light connector or something.
If you want to go back to the factory harness with an aftermarket adapter, but you've cut them too short to reattach, your only option would be to visit your local dealership and get the factory harness for the car and reinstall it, which may be more work than it's worth since it's anyone's guess where the other end connects in the car and how much you would need to remove just to get at it.
Justin
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QUESTION: ok thanx...
if I want to soder the wires, how easy is it? after sodering do i need to cover with tape or a butt connector?
i also was told to try a scrapyard for parts.. but i think i will look at my old harness wire colors and use it to re-attach everything before sodering!
for now i bought a cheap portable CD player to have some music while driving LOL
AnswerSoldering isn't tough at all; if you take a look on google, you'll probably be able to find some full video instructions on doing it, and making a clean connection. Basically, all you need to do is connect the wires, and then take a hot soldering iron, and tin the tip (melt a little bit of solder on the tip of it, it should look nice and shiny), then hold the soldering iron's tipped end against the bottom of the wire, and put some solder on the TOP of the wire. You should be melting the solder with the hot wire, not with the iron itself. Other than tinning the iron, solder should not touch the iron, only the wire, which it heats, which then in turns melts the solder with its heat.
When I solder wires together, I personally use 'heat shrink' over the solder joints. Its inexpensive (you can find it at any hardware store), and it looks good. With heat shrink, you cut off a piece to the size you need, and then slide it on the wire before connecting it to the other half.
Once you've made the connection and have completed your solder, slide the heat shrink up over the exposed wires, and quickly run a lighter (or your soldering iron) over it. It will shrink as its heated, and form a nice clean connection that looks good.
