Sometimes fluids like oil can dry and break the protective sheath on wires over time. Wires can also melt and get damaged in other ways that leave them exposed and require them to be replaced before they cause problems with the part they are connected to. This post explains how to fix a broken wire that needs to be cut and replaced in a car by using a wire stripper and crimper tool, new wire, butt splices, heat shrinks, a lighter, electrical tape, and a wire loom.
How to Replace Chewed, Broken, Melted, Exposed, or Damaged Electrical Wires
Why Does My Car Have Broken Electrical Wires?
Sometimes the protective sheath on a wire can dry out and break off. Wires can also melt and tear for different reasons, like an animal that chewed through it. Once the copper wire is exposed, the wire will need to be replaced or it will cause functionality issues with the affected part.
For example, oil can leak onto wires and tape and dry them out over time, eventually causing cracking, brittleness, and breaking.
How to Replace a Broken Electrical Wire in 17 Steps
Items Needed
- Wire stripper and crimper tool
- New electrical wire
- Butt splices
- Heat shrinks
- Lighter
- Electrical tape
- Wire loom
Steps for How to Fix a Broken Wire
- Find New Wiring of the Same Gauge
Find wires of the same gauge as the faulty wire
- Pick a Section on the Damaged Wire to Cut
Trace the broken wires down to where they are flexible and not cracked or broken to find a good section to sever
- Strip the Ends of the New Wire
Take a piece of cut wire and strip the ends with a wire cutter to expose the copper wire
- Twist the Copper Wire
Twist the copper wire that is exposed
- Remove the Damaged Wire with Wire Cutters
Cut the section of the brittle, dry, melted, chewed, torn, or exposed wire off from the existing wire with wire cutters
- Strip the Ends of the Existing Wire
Strip the ends of the existing wire to expose the copper wire
- Twist a Butt Splice onto the Existing Wire
Twist a butt connector onto the existing wire as far as possible
- Crimp the Butt Connector to the Existing Wire
Crimp the center of the butt connector with wire stripper/crimper tool to secure the butt connector. Try to crimp the butt connector at the end of the wire sheath, right before the exposed copper wire.
- Test How Tight the Butt Connector Is
Tug the wire to confirm the butt connector is on tight
- Crimp the Replacement Wire to the Butt Connector
Repeat the steps above to connect the wires together by attaching the replacement wire to the butt splice
- Place a Heat Shrink Over the Repaired Wire
Place a heat shrink over the section of the repaired wire
- Melt the Heat Shrink
Melt the shrink with a lighter like a mini torch
- Place a Heat Shrink on the Other End of the Replacement Wire
For the outer end of the new replaceable wire, place the heat shrink on first before attaching the butt splice.
- Strip, Crimp, and Melt a Heat Shrink to the Ends of the Remaining Wires
Repeat the steps above to attach the other end of the replacement wire and to splice any new wires together
- Wrap the Wires with Electrical Tape
Once finished, wrap the wires with electrical tape
- Install a Wire Loom
Place a wire loom over the wires
- Tape the Wire Loom
Place tape over the wire loom
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- How to Replace a Headlight Socket
- How to Test a Fuse with a Multimeter
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