Botched Speaker Install: how would you proceed?

[JSparky]

Looking for advice here. I had new speakers and an amp installed the first week of ownership, bought the truck new back in 2013. I'm currently in the process of wiring up a fuse box for accessories in the rear and discovered this under the drivers side floor. Looks like the stereo shop used a box cutter to cut open the factory conduit to splice in. While doing that they shaved the insulation off of a number of wires. It went deep, wires throughout the loom are showing copper. Needless to say I'm pissed, but at the same time I don't feel like dealing with this shop again if they're just gonna monkey around with my wiring.

What do you think, should I repair myself or take it back to the shop that installed the stereo and have a conversation? So many of the wires are damaged I'm considering having the dealership make the repair and (try to) have the audio shop pay for it. I'll upload more pics in a few minutes.

Thoughts?

 

[JSparky]

Some more shots. It should be noted I haven't had any funky electrical issues, so thats good. I may start with going down and showing the shop what I found and see what they offer to do about it.. then go from there. My hope is they'll want to help out.

 

[Friggin Idiot]

Easiest fix is to grab some heat shrink wrap 1-2 size diameter bigger than you need, slice it lengthwise, and put it over the wire. Overlap the sides, and hit it with the heat gun. That should seal up the open wires well enough to prevent any issues, unless you absolutely flood the vehicle. If you need more water proof use a thin bead of silicone inside the heat shrink over the exposed copper.

 

[reidbailey]

Wrap them in 3M Super 33 electrical tape and call it a day. As long as the copper is in tact you can sleep sound.

 

[Antman]

No way man. Take that back, show the shop owner/manager and let them fix it. THEY need to know about it as so the sloppy installer doesn't continue his practices.

True, it's an easy fix- but you paid them to do that to your truck. Any reputable shop owner will be upset to see that and want to fix it the right way.

 

[05Rrunner]

Wow that sucks ! I think you have to go down there and show them at least maybe help the next person. the boss should know what his employees are doing if he even cares. the person who did that is obviously not happy with there job and should find another one. It's so disappointing so very disappointing it just seems like you have to do everything yourself from the most simple thing to the most complicated thing nobody cares.
I most always do things myself : Me not knowing anything and trying my hardest I can usually do a better job than somebody who knows what they're doing and doesn't care. So sad.

 

[JSparky]

Thanks for the replies guys. The owner wasn't in today but they assured me he'd take a look at it. Their opinion was electrical tape. My concern is that the damage is so deep into the wiring loom that they'll end up having to take it apart further to try and get it together.

The copper looks intact from what I can tell. I stopped by toyota and they didn't really know what to say, it was more of "do you want a new wiring harness?" kind of conversation. I'm prone to picking up some heat shrink and doing it myself.

 

[Antman]

Thanks for the replies guys. The owner wasn't in today but they assured me he'd take a look at it. Their opinion was electrical tape. My concern is that the damage is so deep into the wiring loom that they'll end up having to take it apart further to try and get it together.

The copper looks intact from what I can tell. I stopped by toyota and they didn't really know what to say, it was more of "do you want a new wiring harness?" kind of conversation. I'm prone to picking up some heat shrink and doing it myself.

Electrical tape will unravel from itself first time it gets really hot. That shop sucks.

Heatshrink and liquid electrical tape is your best bet here, then put it all back in the loom.

I wouldn't use that shop anymore.

 

[Jhalko]

It's so disappointing so very disappointing it just seems like you have to do everything yourself from the most simple thing to the most complicated thing nobody cares.
I most always do things myself : Me not knowing anything and trying my hardest I can usually do a better job than somebody who knows what they're doing and doesn't care. So sad.

So true, I have so little free time with work and trying to spend a little quality time with two small kids. I still hate having to pay people to do things if I am not positive they will do it right.

Like my local toyota dealer doing an oil change and either losing or not being able to line up a bolt on the skids. What did they do you ask? Zip tie it together.
At least when I screw something up i will at least fix it, not just cover it up!

Op, my vote is heat shrink..

 

[JSparky]

No way man. Take that back, show the shop owner/manager and let them fix it. THEY need to know about it as so the sloppy installer doesn't continue his practices.

True, it's an easy fix- but you paid them to do that to your truck. Any reputable shop owner will be upset to see that and want to fix it the right way.

I agree 100%.

 

[Hellamatic]

Take it back and push for them to buy a new harness. If they'd accidentally drilled a hole in the door, you'd expect a new door instead of sticking a piece of tape over the hole, right? Bad analogy, but you know what I'm getting at...

PS, vacuum your carpet!

 

[Blitzkrieg]

The fish stinks from the head down. Ever heard that saying?

Any shop that would employ somebody so incompetent as to butcher a harness like that? I wouldn't piss on their building were it on fire much less take my vehicle back there.

Electrical tape??? Really? I think not.

This is a great example of why nobody but me touches my vehicles.

Sorry for your hassles man.

 

[rigtec]

I definitely agree that you take it back to the shop who did this 'Butcher job' to document it. If you end up making the repair yourself I'd cut (one-by-one) each wire that's been damaged. Slide heat shrink tubing onto each wire, strip, twist-n-solder the copper strands back together, slide the heat shrink tubing over the 'now soldered' wiring and shrink it... DONE!

...So sorry that, that was done to you! "Best to you!"

 

[reidbailey]

I understand there's the principal behind them damaging the vehicle and making it right with their customer, but when it come to repairing it the reality is options are limited:

1) Replace the harness. This isn't realistic and most insurance companies won't go for it.
2) Heat shrink. Unless you use liquid heat shrink, you will need to cut the wire and reattach to install it.
3) Tape. 3M Super 33 will insulate the conductor and will adhere even in summer temps without turning gooey like most tape.

Admittedly tape isn't a glamorous fix but it should be sufficient in a normal environment. I agree it's not the BEST fix either, just the most realistic.

In the end, it's what you're comfortable living with and if you feel they made the situation right.

 

[Nolarola]

Electrical tape will unravel from itself first time it gets really hot.

This really isn't my expertise, but I think this is an overstatement. Just buy decent electrical tape. Electrical tape is ubiquitous in hot environments.

 

[K9trainer]

Looks like the wires are running from the front to the rear of the vehicle and if this is the case and its the only loom damaged it might be a good idea while you have it open to review the wiring diagram and draw a conclusion as to what may be affected from the damaged wires. Atleast you maybe able to put your mind at ease some knowing it's just a tail light wire etc. and repair the wires accordly.

 

[Sisente]

Take it back, but explain to the shop you no longer trust them, and you want someone else to do the work. If he refuses, let them repair it, but get a warranty.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Well, you can push for a new wiring harness; most likely the shop will reject the idea and refuse to do it.

There is of course wrapping the wires in tape or using liquid electrical tape, which while not elegant; would work perfectly fine for the intended purpose here. Particularly if you don't want to argue with the shop on replacing the harness.

You could cut the wires and replace the damaged lengths and/or slip heat shrink on them, but then you're introducing a new point of potential failure (the new splice you've made.)

The reality is that they should replace the harness, though I wouldn't have them install it.

 

[JSparky]

Just finished making everything safe. I went with liquid tape for the time being. I don't have the time to spend cutting, splicing, soldering, and heat shrinking everything right now. The liquid tape peels off easily too, allowing the original damage to be inspected if necessary. There were 7 or 8 wires that were damaged.

I like the idea of referencing the damaged wires with a wiring diagram.. Like you said it's one thing if its a dome light wire and another if it's for the side air bags. I'll see what the shop owner says next week, but I may contact my insurance agent for advice as well (not even sure if they'd cover something like this but I'm curious). It seems like the shop should have insurance to protect them from accidents like this.

Anyone have links for factory wiring? If I recall someone had the manual available for download right? Thanks again.

 

[Friggin Idiot]

....but I may contact my insurance agent for advice as well (not even sure if they'd cover something like this but I'm curious). It seems like the shop should have insurance to protect them from accidents like this.

Yeap, the manager/owner may not want to make a claim, but their insurance should be applicable. That's assuming that the owner doesn't want to dig into his own pocket to make you whole. Either way it's on him to make your truck whole again, and while heat shrink and liquid tape are fine short term solutions, the harness needs to be replaced.