Gm 120

[john333]

Hi, has anyone replaced the wires on a GM speedo?

Have tried this morning but it seems like high melt solder or something...the old wires wont shift!

Any advice?

[RudolfXC]

It's probably lead-free solder.

Heat your iron up to max temperature and apply solder while heating up the wire to melt the solder and remove wire quickly to avoid any damage to the speedo.

[MattW]

John, which speedo is it?? Gen 1 or Gen 2??

If it's Gen 2, you are trying to unsolder from the connectors rather than the bottom of the board aren't you??

[john333]

thanks for the replies, yes Matt it's a gen 2 and i'm trying to unsolder from the connectors, it's just my iron wouldn't touch GM's solder.

It fills me with dread doing stuff like this, but have changed car and the wires are too short

[MattW]

Only reason I asked, is that good mate of mine text me complaining that he couldn't unsolder the wires, only to establish that he hasn't cut the heatshrink off, and hadn't seen the connectors. Hence he was trying to unsolder those from the bottom of the board - and that it very difficult! Generally, unsoldering from the connectors don't seem to bad to me.

[john333]

thanks Matt, I'll borrow someone elses iron and have another go, mine is not that hot.

[Getpip]

It can be difficult with the GM, the problem is that the case is a very efficient heatsink and sucks the heat right out of the iron.

Use a big iron so you can get 'in and out' quickly.

If you dont have a big iron maybe you can use bullet connectors on the existing wires.

[john333]

Finally managed it, what a pig of a job! as you say the case just got hot instantly and I was very concerned about cooking it, but all seems well.

Never again though!! lol

[MattW]

The new ones with the terminals are significantly easier than the old ones!

[john333]

I would possibly have thrown an old one out of the window then hehe.

Still think it's a great controller, and now I know it's bullet proof