The wiring harness – the nervous system of your car. A complex network of cables and connectors that ensures the proper functioning of all electronic components. But what to do if the wiring harness is damaged? Professional wiring harness repair is often expensive. In this article, you will learn everything important about this topic and learn how to fix minor damage yourself.
What is a Wiring Harness Repair?
Wiring harness repair involves identifying and fixing damage to your vehicle’s wiring harness. This can range from simple repairs to individual wires to replacing entire sections of the wiring harness.
Common causes of damage to the wiring harness are:
- Marten bites: Martens love to gnaw on cables, which can lead to short circuits and other problems.
- Wear and tear: Over time, cables can break due to vibrations and friction.
- Heat: Excessive heat, e.g., from the engine compartment, can damage the insulation of cables.
- Improper repairs: Incorrectly connected cables or poorly insulated connections can also lead to damage.
Why is Professional Repair Important?
A defective wiring harness can lead to various problems – from lighting to engine control to safety-relevant systems such as airbags. Therefore, it is advisable to leave the repair to a professional.
However, an expensive repair in the workshop is not always necessary. Minor damage, such as a broken wire, can be repaired yourself with a little manual skill.
Wire break in a car wiring harness
DIY Wiring Harness Repair: Here’s How
Before you start the repair, you should definitely disconnect the battery to avoid short circuits. Then you can expose the affected area of the wiring harness and assess the damage.
For the repair you will need:
- Heat shrink tubing: Used to insulate the repaired area.
- Soldering iron and solder: For connecting the cable ends.
- Side cutters: For shortening the cables.
- Insulating tape: For additional insulation.
Step-by-step instructions:
- Generously cut out the damaged section of the cable.
- Remove the insulation from the cable ends (approx. 1 cm).
- Twist the cable ends together.
- Solder the twisted cable ends.
- Slide a piece of heat shrink tubing over the soldered joint.
- Heat the heat shrink tubing with a hot air gun until it fits tightly around the soldered joint.
- Additionally insulate the repaired area with insulating tape.
Repairing a car wiring harness
When Should You Rather Go to a Professional?
Not every damage to the wiring harness can be repaired yourself. In case of complex damage, such as a short circuit in the control unit, you should definitely consult a specialist workshop.
Even if you don’t trust yourself to do the repair, you should keep your hands off it and hire a professional.
Wiring Harness Repair: Costs Overview
The costs for a professional wiring harness repair can vary greatly. They depend on the extent of the damage, the vehicle model, and the workshop.
On average, you have to reckon with costs between 100 and 1000 euros.
Prevention is Better Than Repair: How to Protect Your Wiring Harness
With a few simple measures, you can help to avoid damage to the wiring harness:
- Regular inspection: Regularly check the wiring harness for damage, especially in the engine compartment.
- Marten protection: There are various ways to keep martens away from your vehicle, e.g., marten repellent spray or ultrasonic devices.
- Professional repairs: Always have repairs to the vehicle carried out by a specialist workshop.
Conclusion
Wiring harness repair is a complex matter that should always be left to a professional in case of doubt. However, minor damage can be repaired yourself with a little manual skill.
When repairing, be sure to work carefully and use high-quality material. This is how you ensure that your vehicle continues to function reliably in the future.
Do You Need Help with Wiring Harness Repair?
Our team of auto experts is happy to assist you with all questions regarding the repair of your vehicle. Visit our website autorepairaid.com for more information and contact us if you need help!
Frequently Asked Questions About Wiring Harness Repair:
- How do I recognize a defective wiring harness?
- What does a professional wiring harness repair cost?
- Can I repair a wiring harness myself?
- How can I protect my wiring harness from marten damage?
More interesting topics on autorepairaid.com:
Special tools for car wiring harness repair
We hope this article has helped you!
