How to connect these cables?

takedown8 · 11-08-2008, 11:36 AM

This is a shot in the dark, but hopefully some of you with electrical skills will be able to help me.

I have 4 of these cables (small, internal audio/power cables) that I want to connect end to end to make one long cable. What is the easiest way to do that? Are there male-male bare pins that will connect them or a male-male cable or do I have to solder them together? (I'd prefer not since I don't know how to do that).

Thanks in advance!

BimmerZealot · 11-08-2008, 07:25 PM

If you dont need to separate the 4 segments later on the easiest way might be to cut the ends off and use butt connectors, yes they are called butt connectors and they look like this.

Insert stripped end of each wire into one of the two sides, crimp, voila. No soldering required.

04scoobysti · 11-08-2008, 08:22 PM

or for a more permanent install solder and heat shrink. I find those butt connectors fail more times than not.

BimmerZealot · 11-08-2008, 08:52 PM

He said above he didn't want to solder because he doesn't know how. Of course he can learn and its simple but butt connectors are the non-soldering option requested. At my work we wire up 10-20 headlights a day with butt connectors and I have yet to see one come back with a failed connector. Use the right gauge rating, crimp properly, no problems.

takedown8 · 11-09-2008, 10:34 AM

Thanks for the responses, guys. I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and have the wire soldered.

11-08-2008, 11:36 AM	#1
takedown8 Major 56 Rep 1,068 Posts Drives: 2005 BMW Z4 3.0i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	How to connect these cables? This is a shot in the dark, but hopefully some of you with electrical skills will be able to help me. I have 4 of these cables (small, internal audio/power cables) that I want to connect end to end to make one long cable. What is the easiest way to do that? Are there male-male bare pins that will connect them or a male-male cable or do I have to solder them together? (I'd prefer not since I don't know how to do that). Thanks in advance! Attached Images
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11-08-2008, 07:25 PM	#2
BimmerZealot Major 61 Rep 1,210 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 xDrive30i Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Diego, California iTrader: (2)	If you dont need to separate the 4 segments later on the easiest way might be to cut the ends off and use butt connectors, yes they are called butt connectors and they look like this. Insert stripped end of each wire into one of the two sides, crimp, voila. No soldering required.
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11-08-2008, 08:22 PM	#3
04scoobysti New Member 5 Rep 28 Posts Drives: 06 M Coupe Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (0)	or for a more permanent install solder and heat shrink. I find those butt connectors fail more times than not.
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11-08-2008, 08:52 PM	#4
BimmerZealot Major 61 Rep 1,210 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 xDrive30i Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Diego, California iTrader: (2)	He said above he didn't want to solder because he doesn't know how. Of course he can learn and its simple but butt connectors are the non-soldering option requested. At my work we wire up 10-20 headlights a day with butt connectors and I have yet to see one come back with a failed connector. Use the right gauge rating, crimp properly, no problems.
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11-09-2008, 10:34 AM	#5
takedown8 Major 56 Rep 1,068 Posts Drives: 2005 BMW Z4 3.0i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the responses, guys. I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and have the wire soldered.
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