Let us help you identify that mysterious object you’ve found.
Currently in CHALLENGE mode: If you've got something obscure knocking about, post a picture, and let's see how we do. Please prefix such posts with "CHALLENGE:" so we know we've got a fighting chance.
I'm installing a stereo head unit and don't have sound. This blue wire comes from the included harness and is the amp control wire. The control wire on the other connector at the unit also says amp control and isn't connected to anything. I'm assuming I have to connect the two wires and this thing (plus heat shrink wrap...?) will help. I'm unsure if I should use this or cut and strip the wires and find some wire nuts. How do I use this connector, (if it even is one)?
The generic term is bullet connector. That's the male side, so you'll need a matching female connector. Did the head unit come with a bag of hardware or anything?
Thanks, solved. I didn't see any loose connectors in the bag. There are generally a lot of dead end wires with caps and various labels.
Male end bullet connector specifically. And blue wires in stereos are generally the remote on switch signal line. When you turn on your radio this tells any antennas or amplifiers to turn on and off when you turn off the radio or car.
Thanks, solved. That's why I'm thinking this is important to connect, although I'm not sure why it wouldn't have a female connector on it. All of the reading I've done said the amp power was the issue. Sure enough when I started following the wires, the amp control isn't connected. Blue has several labels on this unit, also bring the Bluetooth antenna wire.
Most aftermarket installations just use a splice connector on the 12V that runs to the cigarette lighter.
I have a 12v, but I should be able to use the factory connections. They included a harness to interface.
Does your car have an amp? Many don't so your problem might lie elsewhere.
You might be able to get wiring instructions from Crutchfields website. They're great for stuff like this.
Yes I have a factory amp. I'll check crutch field. I also want to connect the manufacturer off the unit since they included the harness.
That is the male side of a bullet connector. You need to either get the corresponding female connector and crimp it on the other wire, then plug them in, or cut it off and use a butt splice to join the two wires.
Thanks! Solved.
Looks like you stick the stripped wire into the free end, crimp down, and use heat-shrink on the whole thing.
Can look up “crimp connectors” and see what you find.
No its a bullet connector. This is a male end.
That makes more sense. I was sure I’d seen this before and it was plugged in as you say but man does it look like it would be terrible at that job. I prefer my interpretation but I’m almost certainly missing something.
Please don’t do wiring in a car if you need to ask questions like this. At least get your work looked at by someone who knows his shit.
It’s easy to make mistakes that can set your car on fire.
Please didn't discourage people from asking questions and learning. It's the first step towards becoming knowledgeable about something.
Yeah, well maybe your first steps with electronics shouldn’t be with car wiring?
If he asked how to wire a three phase induction cooktop not knowing absolutely anything should I encourage him to electrocute himself?
Big difference between a major household appliance and a car stereo, when it comes to safety and consequences of wiring things wrong. For the cooktop, the worst that could happen is killing yourself. For a car stereo, generally the worst that could happen is frying the car stereo, supposing that it isn't fused and doesn't have circuits to protect against reverse polarity or other faults.
In fact, a car stereo is a pretty excellent and safe place to start learning electrical and really where many have gotten their start.
Ive seen many cars where somebody found their place to start working with electronics. Cables twisted together and held by electrical tape, positive connections spliced to anything that measures 12V including straight to the positive battery terminal. Wires crimped by screws or other components screwed over them. Now every time I see a car burned down to the ground I know what happened.
Im not against learning on your own equipment, but maybe watch a couple youtube videos first or read some manuals online. If op doesn’t know what a bullet connector is and where it goes it means they are flying blind with possibly no understanding of a basic safety regime when working with electricity where everything that works is already good enough.
12V including straight to the positive battery terminal. (And other horror shows - I agree that those are terrible).
The point that I'm making is that catching fire, even in these circumstances, is extremely unlikely, especially with a somewhat modern head unit. Even going right off the positive terminal (shudder), it's much more likely to brick the deck in a way that no longer conducts electricity than it is to conduct AND resist enough to start a fire and/or dump a significant amount of current from the battery. Electrical safety and best practices are definitely important though. (OP please do not do the things that this commenter listed)
Im not against learning on your own equipment, but maybe watch a couple youtube videos first or read some manuals online. If op doesn’t know what a bullet connector is and where it goes it means they are flying blind with possibly no understanding of a basic safety regime when working with electricity where everything that works is already good enough.
That's fair. My assumption, however, is that OP is trying to identify the connector to figure out how to properly use it. I couldn't have told you the name of the connector a couple of days ago and I've done a fair amount of PCB design, a bit of basic mains wiring, and just completely rewired my guitar. I DID know the name at one point but forgot it. I think it may have been more helpful, from your side to raise you very valid concerns to OP in a manner that offered them constructive avenues to learn further and not do horrifying things with their car electrical systems.
Seriously, thank you for speaking up on those horror shows that you've seen. I hope OP takes note and learns to do it right.
looks like the female end of a crimp on bullet connector
*Male
My Dashcam's hardwire kit had the same connectors, there should be a similar connector on another cable, that doesn't taper towards the tip. Those should fit and sort of "click" together.