Ok last year when i was trying to fix my steering wheel buttons, fuddy and i had some cross-communication and i cut the steering wheel button wire that goes to the head unit. Well first i tried splicing it back together with a wire nut, but it gave me intermittant functionality. Then i tried a butt connector which made it work more of the time, but not 100%. So last month i soldered the damn thing, and now it only works 20% of the time. I did a good job soldering...cleaned the wires, fluxed, soldered, and taped over it. What can i do to get a good connection?

Throw a DVM on it whilst you move the wire to check for continuity. Maybe it'* been broken in another place and it just depends on how you left it last to what kind of connection you're getting.

I smell a short to ground or a cold solder joint.

Yes, I would bet there is a break in the circuit somewhere else.