What wire in the trunk did I just break?

4626 Views 16 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Bill Brown, Jun 10, 2020

delta

Discussion Starter · May 20, 2020

While working in my trunk, a very corroded wire broke. Can anyone tell me what this is used for? I tried to trace it, but it disappears into a wiring loom, never to be seen again. We're looking at the driver's side of a convertible trunk. (I haven't tried operating the convertible top, not until I figure out what this is.)

I scanned the vehicle for codes, and there were none.

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dxG6

· #2 · May 20, 2020

Looks to me like the wires go to the right side of the connector right there in front of it. Looks like the remains of frayed wires sticking out of the connector. No?

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delta

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 21, 2020 (Edited)

Yes, the wire frayed and corroded. I’m sure I can clean it up and solder it back together, but I just want to know what this connector is.

EDIT: It's a brown wire and a white wire. The thick copper wires are stranded cable as opposed to solid cable.

dxG6

· #4 · May 21, 2020

All automotive wire is stranded. Never solid. I wouldn't worry too much about identifying it, just fix it making sure each wire goes into the correct position. It's a safe bet it's there for a useful purpose. I don't know what circuit that cable is part of.

Bill Brown

· #5 · May 21, 2020

Although you didn't specify the year, in searching through the PDF of the factory manual, this is the best I could come up with. My guess is that it's either 6 - 12. I'm leaning towards 12 because of what you said about it being "stranded". I'm assuming you mean like cable TV coax correct? That would make it the AM/FM antenna wire.

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Bill Brown

· #6 · May 21, 2020

Ah, I see the year in your sig.

dxG6

· #7 · May 21, 2020

Bill Brown said:
I'm leaning towards 12 because of what you said about it being "stranded". I'm assuming you mean like cable TV coax correct? That would make it the AM/FM antenna wire.

No, he means stranded. Those wires go into a normal 2-pin connector and coax cable cannot use that kind of connector.

Bill Brown

· #8 · May 22, 2020

dxG6 said:
No, he means stranded. Those wires go into a normal 2-pin connector and coax cable cannot use that kind of connector.

I understand that. What I was attempting to understand was what he meant by "stranded". Did he mean the core or that there were multiple wires in the insulation like a network cable? All automotive wiring utilizes stranded cores so that they're flexible to go around corners and not break from metal fatigue due to vibration. The picture does not show a "normal 2-pin connector" as you can see around 8 wires sticking out of both it and the severed cable. Therefore, I thought he might have meant a shielded cable (like a coax).

I'll have a look at mine in the morning and see where it goes.

Convertme

· #9 · May 22, 2020

that wire goes up to your electric rear window defroster
if you live in the south you may never user it

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4leehenderson

· #10 · May 27, 2020

@Bill Brown ...Bill is that pdf manual avaliable for download somewhere?
Thanks

Bill Brown

· #11 · Jun 5, 2020

4leehenderson said:
@Bill Brown ...Bill is that pdf manual avaliable for download somewhere?
Thanks

Yes. It's actually a thrown together hodgepodge of several different manuals that someone tried to make into a comprehensive one, but it ends up being incredibly difficult to navigate. If you'd like a copy I think I can put it up on Dropbox. I'll let you know the address when it's up.

delta

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jun 6, 2020

Thanks, everyone! It was indeed the rear defroster wire. The connector had somehow melted, so that couldn't be saved. I spliced and soldered in some new wire, used two plastic caps in case it has to be disconnected, and it seems to be working great. I'll test it when things cool down.

ConvertMe: I live in the northeast United States, so this is an important feature any other time of the year.

delta

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jun 6, 2020

4

So, I had to cut off the connector and strip back some clean wire:

I won't bother showing you my hackneyed repair job or my terrible soldering abilities, but between solder, heat-shrink, some copper wire from my computer's failed UPS, and a cheap (very cheap) soldering iron, I managed to get it done. I used those plastic electrician caps in case it ever needs to be disconnected, because I don't have the skill to solder on a new connector.

I opened and closed the roof a few times, just to make sure nothing would get caught, and my repair job actually worked! I'll test the rear defroster next winter, when I can actually tell if it's working or not.

Why is the hood open? I forget.

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Bill Brown

· #14 · Jun 6, 2020

4leehenderson said:
@Bill Brown ...Bill is that pdf manual avaliable for download somewhere?
Thanks

So I got that manual put up on Dropbox. Anyone interested PM me and I'll give you the link.

Convertme

· #15 · Jun 7, 2020

to bad you need the rear window defroster....... wish i did not need it

davez26

· #16 · Jun 7, 2020

Service Manuals show up from time to time on eBay as electronic versions from DVD. I have a copy, and I think a few others do as well.
It's can be a little tricky to install on a laptop, but well worth it.
I got to repair my defrost wires a few years ago, same thing, melted the connector all to hell. I went ahead and deleted the connector and did a solder splice.
If I ever have to remove the entire roof and have to cut that splice, defrost is likely the least of my worries.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using Tapatalk

Bill Brown

· #17 · Jun 10, 2020

I bought the entire 3 book Service Manual set for my 2007 on eBay, but I already had the hodgepodge .pdf that someone had thrown together. I've got the .pdf one posted in Dropbox. If anyone would like a copy PM me and I will send you the link.

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