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how do I clean 10 pin connectors?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jaymac
  • Start date Start date Aug 5, 2005

jaymac

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Feb 18, 2004
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Aug 5, 2005
#1
  • Aug 5, 2005
  • #1
electrical contact cleaner and di-elec. grease?
WD40?
compressed air?
Thanks!
 

powertrax91

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Aug 5, 2005
#2
  • Aug 5, 2005
  • #2
jaymac said:
electrical contact cleaner and di-elec. grease?
WD40?
compressed air?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

You can use a product called DEOXIT... works great, but you'll need to do a search on where to get it in your area
 

jaymac

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Aug 5, 2005
#3
  • Aug 5, 2005
  • #3
thanks, I'll check it out!
 

jaymac

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Feb 18, 2004
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Aug 5, 2005
#4
  • Aug 5, 2005
  • #4
I found it @ Radio Shack online, I'm gonna cross the street and see if they stock it (or if they're open )
 

jrichker

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Aug 5, 2005
#5
  • Aug 5, 2005
  • #5
jaymac said:
electrical contact cleaner and di-elec. grease?
WD40?
compressed air?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
That's probably what I would use. The non-flammable brake parts cleaner is the same stuff as electical contact cleaner in a bigger can. It is cheaper too, Advance Auto parts is about $2.30 for a 16 oz can. Be a little cautious, and test it on plastic parts before you hose them down. I have seen it soften some plastic.

I have used a drill bit to clean the insides of female contacts & an Exacto knife to scrape the outside of male contacts.

Go easy with the dielectric grease, since it is an insulator. A little bit goes a long way. Try to keep it on the sealing surfaces of the plastic connector shells and off the contacts. I have seen the contacts coated with a gummy mess of the stuff and make some poor connections.
 

jaymac

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#6
  • Aug 5, 2005
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jrichker said:
Try to keep it on the sealing surfaces of the plastic connector shells and off the contacts. I have seen the contacts coated with a gummy mess of the stuff and make some poor connections.
Click to expand...
Oh...oops. I've always put it right on the connectors, as I was under the impression that it improved conductivity.
That sucks. Maybe I should go through and take off all my connections and wipe them dry?
How bout the rotor, etc.? I had heard somewhere to put it on the rotor tip, etc.
Any truth to this? I'm also installing new cap and rotor today.

I did, by the way, pick up the DEOXIT at Radioshack, and I'll try it out!!
 

jrichker

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  • Aug 5, 2005
  • #7
jaymac said:
Oh...oops. I've always put it right on the connectors, as I was under the impression that it improved conductivity.
That sucks. Maybe I should go through and take off all my connections and wipe them dry?
How bout the rotor, etc.? I had heard somewhere to put it on the rotor tip, etc.
Any truth to this? I'm also installing new cap and rotor today.

I did, by the way, pick up the DEOXIT at Radioshack, and I'll try it out!!
Click to expand...
The Dow-Corning DC-4 dielectric grease that I am familiar with is an excellent insulator. I used it on aircraft spark plug insulators to keep the moisture out. If it was conductive, the spark would jump to ground instead of across the plug electrodes.
 

HISSIN50

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#8
  • Aug 5, 2005
  • #8
There was a guy who used anti-seize on the spark plug boots and wondered what the issue was.

JR is spot on about the use of dielectrical grease - from experience in my younger years, I can verify that it will make a goopy mess on spark plug terminal buttons (almost like someone used clear silicone gel on them).
 

89MustangGX

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#9
  • Aug 6, 2005
  • #9
I've always put the dielectrical grease right on the connectors as well -- I knew it was an insulator, but I figured of the connection was tight enough it would make good contact and the grease would keep moisture out.
 

90mustangGT

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Aug 6, 2005
#10
  • Aug 6, 2005
  • #10
89MustangGX said:
I've always put the dielectrical grease right on the connectors as well -- I knew it was an insulator, but I figured of the connection was tight enough it would make good contact and the grease would keep moisture out.
Click to expand...

I agree, I think what he means is not to glob it on.
 

89MustangGX

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#11
  • Aug 6, 2005
  • #11
90mustangGT said:
I agree, I think what he means is not to glob it on.
Click to expand...

Makes sense. I just don't know where else to put it otherwise.
 
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