electrical connector corrosion, how to clean?

[mike carr]

well the car stalled out again on the road, so i went in and checked the elecrical connectors on the bulkhead and found them to be corroded quite a bit. some of the little prongs were totally green, i guess this is some sort of copper oxide.

this is undoubtedly the source of my problem. i was wondering if there is any liquid solution that can be used to clean this corrosion off? or would i be better off just scraping it off.

i will use some corrosion preventor before i plug it back together.

thanks

mike

[William C.]

Re: electrical connector corrosion, how to clean?

What year car? Different connection systems were used in different years, and the process & reliability therof varies.

[mike carr]

Re: electrical connector corrosion, how to clean?

its a 1963

[William C.]

Re: electrical connector corrosion, how to clean?

Those are "twinlock" terminals, so called because the same terminals are used on either side of the connection. They are a tin plated brass construction, and not very thick. The exception is some of the 12 gauge (red wire) leads which may use berylium copper terminals with silver plating due to the fact that the terminal serves as the power feed for the entire car. I have used a dremel tool fitted with a fine wire brush for cleaning, first removing each one from the plastic connector. If you look closely there are small barbs on the sides of the terminal that lock it into place. after cleaning, look at the fold-over contact closley and use a small screwdriver to reform if slightly if necessary. If you have a lot of corrocion, the terminal will have to be replaced.

[Jack H.]

Re: electrical connector corrosion, how to clean?

There are contact cleaning agents that you can find (Radio Shack, Etc.), but they're intended for LIGHT oxidation.... This was an automotive application (vs. a computer/communications application), so 'cheap' tin dipped steel connectors were used vs. gold. The years have taken their toll and you have two choices:

(1) Clean the existing contacts as best you can.

(2) Replace them (individually or with fresh new reproduction harness assy's).

Replacing them individually is a labor of love requiring new connectors and the appropriate connector-housing removal tool. I wouldn't go there unless it's a matter of one or two contacts.

Cleaning them, in my opinion, is best done with a Dremel tool and a wire brush on the pins and small hand brush on the pin recepticals. Be gentle as you work because you'll be removing tin plate along with the corrosion and you want to preserve as much of the protective plating as possible.

Once the contacts are visibly clean, SLOBBER them with silicone grease before you snap the connector halves together! You're attempting to displace oxygen with the non-conductive silicone grease (you can get a small tube at Radio Shack) to retard and thwart the further progression of contact deterioration.

[Dennis A.]

Re: electrical connector corrosion, how to clean?

Mike...

If the terminals are as bad as you say...release them from the connector body, cut them off at the crimp and crimp new ones on. New terminals and a crimp tool costs are low. This is much faster than bushing(etc) and the end product will be without problems for some time. I recommend Dielectric grease as the best,if you want to grease. Good for light bulb sockets & spark plug boots as well. Companies like Ford & Cummins, use white lithium grease for years in all connectors having tin plated terminals, if cost is a factor.

[frank mccracken]

What tool?

What tool do you guys use to remove those terminals? I was working on my harness this weekend and had trouble removing them. I understand how they work. I tried inserting straight pins etc down the sides that I have used in other applications but had very little luck.

[William C.]

Re: What tool?

Small flat blade screwdriver, (very small, be gentle)

[frank mccracken]

Re: What tool?

Thanks Bill, I tried that. I have the worlds smallest flat blade screwdriver. Thev're just stuck I guess.

[Gary S.]

Re: electrical connector corrosion, how to clean?

Mike, when my 66 was acting funny, someone here suggested the firewall connectors and, like yours, they were quite corroded. I used a brush-on acid like Naval Jelly. Some here will gasp at the idea but it worked very well. I used one of the disposable glue brushes and put the acid on for a few seconds and then rinsed it off. I kept increasing the time that I left it on until the terminals were clean. Once clean, I then used dielectric grease on the terminals. VERY nice, very easy and worked well. Lots of caution here, Mike. Go slow, experiment with the time that you leave the acid on and be aware that you are using acid.

I have also this same treatment on my 25 year old Mercedes-Benz that is my daily driver. I had some issues with poor connections on the engine compartment fuse block. No more.
Gary

[mike carr]

Re: electrical connector corrosion, how to clean?

well i used tarn-x to clean them, it worked great. i rinsed them off with water and then used a hair dryer to dry them. i slobbered permatex dielectric grease all over the connectors and plugged em back in and now they work great.

thanks for all the help and tips.

mike