Can USB cords be spliced?

[Dirtman]

I accidentally closed the door on the USB cord end of my OBD2 scanner adapter. It wasn't super expensive but I'd rather not spend another 50 bucks if I don't need to. I have tons of old USB cords, can I just cut the wire and splice on another end? I've never taken apart a USB cord before.

 

[Curious Hound]

Haven’t tried it. But it seems you should be able to. The ground wire might actually be a shield wrapped around the other wires.

 

[Dirtman]

Haven’t tried it. But it seems you should be able to. The ground wire might actually be a shield wrapped around the other wires.

I've spliced coax and antenna cables with the ground like that. I just didn't know how many wires are actually inside and if they are all universal? Will any USB 2.0 cord match any other USB 2.0 cord inside as far as number of wires and their order. Or if the splice would interfere with data transfer whatnots...

 

[Curious Hound]

Grasshopper,

You will soon have the knowledge to share with us all.

 

[sgtsandman]

Only one way to find out.

 

[Dirtman]

Fine! I'll go mix some 2 stroke fuel up.... freaking useless people.... I have to do everything around here... I don't even know if the chainsaw will start for crying out loud.

 

[RonD]

No, it probably wouldn't work, the wire sizes inside are very small and most likely won't be color matched with two different cables

Where did you find a $50 USB cable for a vehicle, that's very very expensive
Even the over priced Apple cables are not that much

If its for OBD2 Reader then find/buy shortest vesion you can that fits the OBD2 devices port and then get a cheap USB extension cable

 

[Ramcharger90]

 

[Dirtman]

No, it probably wouldn't work, the wire sizes inside are very small and most likely won't be color matched with two different cables

Where did you find a $50 USB cable for a vehicle, that's very very expensive
Even the over priced Apple cables are not that much

It's not just a cable, it's a OBD2 to usb adapter to run forscan on windows. Dang @Uncle Gump convinced me to buy it and I really like it, and of course I broke it in 3 days. If it was just a normal USB cable I'd have tossed it and moved on by now lol.

 

[Curious Hound]

No, it probably wouldn't work, the wire sizes inside are very small and most likely won't be color matched with two different cables

Where did you find a $50 USB cable for a vehicle, that's very very expensive
Even the over priced Apple cables are not that much

I’m thinking the other end is permanently attached to the device. Hence, a $2 replacement cable isn’t easy to do. If it were mine, i would try splicing a good end from another cable onto it. A careful, good quality solder and heat shrink kind of splice. An ohm meter will help sort out the conductors.

 

[Dirtman]

This is the gizmo...

https://www.amazon.com/Adaptador-OBDLink-EX-FORScan-OBD/dp/B081VQVD3F/?tag=959media-20

No not just a simple usb cable.

 

[RonD]

If the cable is attached then you are screwed, and I would try to splice it just because it can't be hurt any further, lol

 

[Dirtman]

If the cable is attached then you are screwed, and I would try to splice it just because it can't be hurt any further, lol

This is kinda my attitude towards the situation as well lol. I have another idea I'm gonna try first. Since nothing is actually "cut" and the plug is just bent up, I'm gonna try to bend it back into shape and see if I can shove it into a usb extension cable. If it works I'll just tape up the extension cable really good so the bad/bent connector doesn't need to be used anymore. If that makes sense...

 

[Weasel]

Yes.

You can twist the wires together and tape them or use butt connectors, but I'd recommend soldering. I try and solder whenever possible.

It will only carry 5V DC, if any, so if you do it wrong the worst that is likely to happen is that it won't work. While it's possible to damage your ODB device, it's unlikely.

It should be 4 wires at most with a braided shield. The wire colors are - generally - consistent. (Red, white, blue, black?... I can't remember) damnit. Green, not blue

You could replace the entire cable by soldering it directly, but splicing it will ensure the correct colors.

That being said, I take no responsibility

Addendum. Not sure what USB you're using, but USB-C cables have a voltage regulator built into them (usually on the C end), so that could be a variable in replacing the cable. That is to protect your phone/tablet when charging. Some cheap cables don't have that. Don't use those cables for your phone, or anything. I mean, you could use it to tie things together I guess.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Damn... you can't have anything nice. I'm glad I didn't lend you mine...