Fixing broken blue wire to speaker

Hi Tom,

First of all: Congratulations on your soldering adventure! Honestly!

But besides my excitement for it, I also wanted to give you some important information and some advice.

It seems to me that the blue wire can be replaced completely as it is also soldered on to the pin on the plastic casing of the speaker. To solder on an additional length of wire creates an "open" or "unnatural" connection which might lead to transients.

I don't know how thick your replacement wire is. In any case, as a replacement for the blue wire that is too short I would use one with about the same profile/diameter. Just follow the standards of Apple which uses such "thick" wires rather than tiny wires that come with a headphone.

Last but not least: I assume that you covered the new solder joint on top with a thin plastic tape. Your problems with the volume might be connected to that connection, as it might have contact with the metal plate/steel middle plane. If you can, try to remove the docking unit and solder on your new wire on the bottom.

In sum and as a recommendation, I would re-solder it accordingly. Just give it a try. Soldering on something in a disassembled condition is much more enjoyable and even more promising.

Steffen

Hi Tom,

I suggest using a wire that is about as thick as the original one. A thicker wire or diameter (cable coating) is not necessary, also considering the limited space you have to "store" or to run that wire.

Such a wire you don't have to buy necessarily. You might be able to find it in an item that you don't use any more and/or which is just laying around (e.g. in a old clockwork of a plastic wall clock; in an old device; etc.). It might also be a wire that was used to connect AAA batteries with a PCB. Just some ideas.

Yes, I would definitely re-solder (but with a thinner wire).

Steffen