OK this may sound funny but I am not an expert on soldering. Once again my headlights doesn't work. This wire on the starter switch is broken again for the third time. This time it lasted for three days.

Probably, I couldn't solder it properly and vibration when riding broke it but how hard can it be???

On the other hand, I am wondering:

what type of solder should I use? Is there any specific solder I should buy to do this kind of work?

 

i'm not sureif solder comes in different types.are you using flux before soldering? also use some alcohol to clean up the area before soldering.

 

Are you using "rosin core" solder, or "acid core"? If you are using acid core, stop right now...it is for joining metal. Rosin core is for electrical. Next question, are you using "flux"? You should have that as well. Here is your process for successful solder:
1: Strip both wires to clean, shiny metal. If it is a wire to terminal, use your sisters or girlfriends nail file to lightly sand the terminal to get a shiny surface.
2: Smear flux on both parts to be joined
3: Place hot soldering iron to surface until flux melts, then "tin" with solder until in gets into all crevices in the wire/terminal
4: Place the pieces to be joined together and lightly clamp them with an alligator clip, small vice-grips, whatever. Apply heat until the tinned solder begins to melt together, then add more solder to the joint.
5: Remove heat, let cool. Do not disturb the joint until the solder turns dull (it won't take but about 10 seconds)
6: Electrical tape all bare wire, reassemble.
7: Success!

 

Make sure you heat the wire enough then then apply the solder. Once done dont move the wire for a few seconds to allow the solder to cool. Soldering is trial and error, you'll get it eventually.

 

Thanks everyone.

I don't use flux and first thing tomorrow I am going to buy one and will follow all the directions given. It is a very hard to reach spot that it is hard to work on it. Searching google images, I found this picture. This is the exact switch I am talking about and exact same problem except my broken wire is the one on the right. I thought I would post it to show what it really looks like.



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