[Jason]

That is the question. I'm going to be tapping my ECU for my Aquamist install and I was wondering what the consensus was regarding the method.

I know solder is the 'correct' way, but it is also the most permanent and easily detectable in the future. Would PosiTaps be an acceptable, reliable alternative? I use them on stereo installs without a second thought, but with something as sensitive as this, I want it to be as foolproof as possible.

[07EVOK1LR]

I have used EVERY method of connecting wires and terminals in my car and home

I work in controls and if done right no method I know of really fails more than any other

assuming you aren;t just twisting wires together and taping them up lol

[severe]

ive never had solder fail.
ive never used positap (which looks better than those in my below statement)
i have had other taps give me issues and ive renounced using them ever again.

positap actually looks reasonable, i might give those a try next time i need to tap anything over solder.

[halfelite]

there is not much room for a bunch of posi taps around the wire loom going to the ecu. You figure you will tap, power, ground, 2 wires to boost cut, and one idc wire. So that is 5 wires you will need to tap. I soldered mine.

[Boris]

i would think soldering would be the best idea.

[FORCFED]

Dont use T-Taps!

Heres how i do remote starters/alarms. With this method i never had a car come back because the wire came loose.

1. Strip the insulator of the wire you want to splice into back an inch.
2. On the wire you are going to splice on, strip about 2 inches off the end of the wire.
3. Take a straight pick and make a hole in the wire that you stripped back an inch.
4. Push the other wire through the hole and wrap it around the wire.
5. Use electrical tape about an inch on each side of the exposed copper.

This method is easily undone and doesnt involve solder.

[Jason]

Originally Posted by 07EVOK1LR

I have used EVERY method of connecting wires and terminals in my car and home

I work in controls and if done right no method I know of really fails more than any other

assuming you aren;t just twisting wires together and taping them up lol

No, I'm not ghetto rigging it.

Originally Posted by severe

ive never had solder fail.
ive never used positap (which looks better than those in my below statement)
i have had other taps give me issues and ive renounced using them ever again.

positap actually looks reasonable, i might give those a try next time i need to tap anything over solder.

If they work 99% of the time, I don't want that 1% failure to be with a meth kit. Thats my real worry.

Originally Posted by halfelite

there is not much room for a bunch of posi taps around the wire loom going to the ecu. You figure you will tap, power, ground, 2 wires to boost cut, and one idc wire. So that is 5 wires you will need to tap. I soldered mine.

On the HSF-6, I have the 12v/ing/ill/ground off of the HVAC/radio wires. I think the ECU only requires 3. I've never seen the wire loom going to the ECU so I really have no idea how much space I have, or if the PosiTaps will even do the job.

Originally Posted by sparta440

Dont use T-Taps!

Heres how i do remote starters/alarms. With this method i never had a car come back because the wire came loose.

1. Strip the insulator of the wire you want to splice into back an inch.
2. On the wire you are going to splice on, strip about 2 inches off the end of the wire.
3. Take a straight pick and make a hole in the wire that you stripped back an inch.
4. Push the other wire through the hole and wrap it around the wire.
5. Use electrical tape about an inch on each side of the exposed copper.

This method is easily undone and doesnt involve solder.

Interesting, I'll ponder that one.

To all: if I decide to solder at the ECU, did you guys cut the OE wires and solder the 3 connections together?

[FORCFED]

If you decide to solder you could do away with the hole in the middle of the wire and just wrap the wires around, then solder. To be honest even if you dont poke the hole and just wrap the wires, then tape. That way has never failed either and its fast.