That's the question. My SIL's car sits outside and a chipmunk has made it home. It chewed through a wiring harness and disabled the vehicle. That problem obviously needs its own solution but as for repairing the wiring, what do you think?

It's all stranded copper wiring, maybe 18-20 gauge. The location is cramped enough that soldering could be nearly impossible. I think there's room for a crimping tool if that's a good option.

I've already suggested just replacing the entire harness but that doesn't look viable. Can't find one, and too many clips to find.

 

Considering the limitations, a butt crimp wire splice, such as below, might be the best solution:

 

Also a strategically placed trap may not be amiss also !

 

Interesting thing with rodents and wires.
Both my son and myself have had vehicle wires chewed through by them (in our case I think it was rats).
Apparently they just like to chew, and wires happen to have a nice chewing consistency.

 

Very common problem. People use things like this as countermeasures.
https://www.collegehillshonda.com/product/4019-2317.html

https://frogwheeler.com/honda-rodent-tape-work/


https://nhoilundercoating.com/soy-based-wiring-how-to-help-keep-mice-out/

These guys work well in tight spaces for splicing in a repair jumper.

 

Considering the limitations, a butt crimp wire splice, such as below, might be the best solution:

I've seen a lot of those. You need a crimp tool, right? That plastic is not heat shrink, and thus does not seal the splice, right?

 

These guys work well in tight spaces for splicing in a repair jumper.

Those look awesome. Ten in one area might look odd and be challenging to seal up but I think they'd all fit.

 

I've seen a lot of those. You need a crimp tool, right? That plastic is not heat shrink, and thus does not seal the splice, right?

You make sure the insulation goes right up to the metal butt slice, also proper tool recommended, I have seen some done with pliers etc, they do not apply the right compression as set with the proper tool.

 

These are too pricey, but interesting.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gardner...erminal-Red-6-Pkg-Case-of-5-XTM-240/301734975
How do you know what kind of crimping tool to use on these butt spices? I think I have a couple crimp tools but I can't tell if they're the right ones.

 

How do you know what kind of crimping tool to use on these butt spices?

Typically they look something like this:

 

You can get heat-shrinkable crimp on butt splice connectors (I prefer Wirefy brand) as well as heat-shrinkable tubes, pre-cut to the butt splice size and with low melting point solder rings inside. They shrink and solder at the same time.

Both types are adhesive lined to make the splice waterproof.

 

Typically they look something like this:

View attachment 301675

I have one of those! It has three or four things that look like crimps. I suppose I just look for the one labeled with the right gauge?

 

I have one of those! It has three or four things that look like crimps. I suppose I just look for the one labeled with the right gauge?

Yes.
The correct crimp opening will compress the splice so that the wire is tightly connected.

 

I strongly recommend these guys for automotive use. They heat shrink and are adhesive line, so watertight.

​

I also strongly suggest that you invest in a ratchet type crimper with proper dies. I have this one which is an excellent value. The integrity of the connection is dependent on the crimp.

​

 

I agree, the ratchet type does not rely on varying jaw pressure, it requires a set amount of force to crimp and only then release.
I need a semi production tool so I used my favorite tool supplier of this type, Weidmuller, - $$$'s but GOOD.
,

 

My SIL's car sits outside and a chipmunk has made it home.

I'm guessing it's a Ford or one of the off shore brands. They were using a soy based plastic for the insulation. To be "green" I guess. Even though the human can't smell the vegetable base, rodents seem to be able to. I buy GM because of the rodent problem, and I have too much stuff in the garage to park inside GM still uses polyethylene for their insulation.

 

Another option that may work in tight spaces as long as you can use a heat gun...
https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/7B384382-6A9F-42CA-A3ED-B6517709FB6F/?_encoding=UTF8&store_ref=SB_A06305042QEB55LE8SYJW&pd_rd_plhdr=t&aaxitk=040da90ea460846b0b1ae8971d4b2b75&hsa_cr_id=2900520900001&lp_asins=B01M0EZBYQ,B089D5GD4Y,B089D79CPF&lp_query=heat shrink self-solder connectors&lp_slot=auto-sparkle-hsa-tetris&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_lsi4d_bkgd&pd_rd_w=1d95d&content-id=amzn1.sym.cd95889f-432f-43a7-8ec8-833616493f4a:amzn1.sym.cd95889f-432f-43a7-8ec8-833616493f4a&pf_rd_p=cd95889f-432f-43a7-8ec8-833616493f4a&pf_rd_r=T1486Z2J5QS0TKTDZCYA&pd_rd_wg=NyEoM&pd_rd_r=f5f29db2-587f-4ad9-82ff-91ad33836efd

No crimping needed!! They work best if you shrink the ends first and are able to roll them over for even heating. Don't use a torch or lighter as you will burn through, loose your solder, and have to start over.

There are also heat shrink butt connectors with a solder blob and adhesive on the heat shrink also. They do need to be crimped.

I also strongly suggest that you invest in a ratchet type crimper with proper dies. I have this one which is an excellent value. The integrity of the connection is dependent on the crimp.

View attachment 301679​

I'll second that especially with any sort of heat shrink connector. I've had so many heat shrink types get a weak point and split when heated with your basic stripper / crimper / all in one that I invested in similar tool myself.

Edit:

I just noticed Ya'akov mentioned this type of connector in #11. Didn't mean to repost the same info

 

These are too pricey, but interesting.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gardner...erminal-Red-6-Pkg-Case-of-5-XTM-240/301734975
How do you know what kind of crimping tool to use on these butt spices? I think I have a couple crimp tools but I can't tell if they're the right ones.

That's for a case of 5 6 packs and they are still over priced at that. It's the right ones to use, we use them daily for diesel harness repair. And it does heat shrink.

 

That's for a case of 5 6 packs and they are still over priced at that. It's the right ones to use, we use them daily for diesel harness repair. And it does heat shrink.

Those are what I was thinking of. I have seen a different brand of the same thing in Fastenal before, but can't remember the pricing and if it would be worth checking in to. They were in a bulk container.

 

These are too pricey, but interesting.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gardner...erminal-Red-6-Pkg-Case-of-5-XTM-240/301734975
How do you know what kind of crimping tool to use on these butt spices? I think I have a couple crimp tools but I can't tell if they're the right ones.

I really meant this is what I was thinking of that I saw in Fastenal in a different form.

I totally missed that the first time around