# can i cut/re-solder this wire?
**URL:** https://forums.speedlife.net/t/can-i-cut-re-solder-this-wire/40631
**Category:** NYSpeed Automotive
**Created:** [December 21, 2007, 3:56pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/can-i-cut-re-solder-this-wire/40631 "2007-12-21T15:56:26Z")
**Posts on this page:** 9
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@MikeRi24](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MikeRi24)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2007, 3:56pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/can-i-cut-re-solder-this-wire/40631/1 "2007-12-21T15:56:26Z")
Pictured below, you will see a silver, slinky-looking coil thing. This is a piece of wire that goes from the temp sensor probe in the radiator to my fan controller. its a solid piece of bare wire. as you can see, its a bit too long and has a lot of slack in it. for the sake of keeping things looking reasonably clean in there, i would like to cut it to size and re-solder it. I’m worried that doing so may have an impact on the function of the sensor and subsequently the fan controller. anyone have any experience with this that could give me a definite yes or no answer? thanks!
---
### Author:  [@Zer0DazE](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Zer0DazE)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2007, 4:44pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/can-i-cut-re-solder-this-wire/40631/2 "2007-12-21T16:44:44Z")
are you sure that is the wire, and not a heat wrap on a wire
---
### Author:  [@dirtye30](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dirtye30)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2007, 4:53pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/can-i-cut-re-solder-this-wire/40631/3 "2007-12-21T16:53:47Z")
dont touch what you dont understand.
---
### Author:  [@MikeRi24](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MikeRi24)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2007, 4:57pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/can-i-cut-re-solder-this-wire/40631/4 "2007-12-21T16:57:53Z")
> [@Zer0DazE](#):
>
> are you sure that is the wire, and not a heat wrap on a wire
it seems like a solid piece of wire, almost like a coat hanger, but thinner i guess.
and i dont understand, so thats why i am asking before i do anything
---
### Author:  [@slasky](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/slasky)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2007, 5:02pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/can-i-cut-re-solder-this-wire/40631/5 "2007-12-21T17:02:09Z")
I would say don’t cut it. I think it may be hollow and have some kind of fluid or air in it that changes pressure as the temp changes.
---
### Author:  [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2007, 5:06pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/can-i-cut-re-solder-this-wire/40631/6 "2007-12-21T17:06:14Z")
it’s a thermocouple and while it looks like it is only one wire, there are two in it.
Secondly, it’s calibrated based on resistance, so cutting and soldering is a BAD idea.
---
### Author:  [@MikeRi24](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MikeRi24)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2007, 6:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/can-i-cut-re-solder-this-wire/40631/7 "2007-12-21T18:24:48Z")
> [@newman](#):
>
> it’s a thermocouple and while it looks like it is only one wire, there are two in it.
>
> Secondly, it’s calibrated based on resistance, so cutting and soldering is a BAD idea.
thank you! i thought it was a thermocouple but the ones I am used to seeing had something a bit different coming off of them. i will prob just find some way to route it all over the engine bay as out of the way as possible to make the whole thing stick out a little less
---
### Author:  [@tpgsr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/tpgsr)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2007, 7:04pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/can-i-cut-re-solder-this-wire/40631/8 "2007-12-21T19:04:26Z")
newman is correct, it is at a preset length that determines the resistance of the circuit. If you cut it, the sensor will still function, but not properly or accurately. why do you want to stretch and move it. If anything cant you “flatten” it against that panel and hide it with some insulation or a wire loom?
---
### Author:  [@MikeRi24](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MikeRi24)
#### Post date: [December 22, 2007, 10:23am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/can-i-cut-re-solder-this-wire/40631/9 "2007-12-22T10:23:57Z")
> [@tpgsr](#):
>
> newman is correct, it is at a preset length that determines the resistance of the circuit. If you cut it, the sensor will still function, but not properly or accurately. why do you want to stretch and move it. If anything cant you “flatten” it against that panel and hide it with some insulation or a wire loom?
i suppose…“that panel” would be the backside of the radiator. when i unpackaged the thing, it was coiled up in like a little spool. maybe i will just return it to that form and hide it by the controller.