Best method for cleaning up electrical connectors?
Discussion
A lot of electrical issues seem to stem from poor connections, where unplugging and re-seating the connectors solves the issue. But looking at the pins in the connectors (specifically the black boxes in the boot and the ones behind the door cards) they aren't exactly clean and quite oxidised.
I usually give them a squirt of WD40, and remove/re-insert them a few times to clean them up. then maybe dab some petroleum jelly on them.. But is there a better method? Some sort of emery cloth would probably clean them up, but not easy to get into the tight connectors? Perhaps replacement?!
Ideally I'd like to see some shine on the metal contacts, and then protect them.
I usually give them a squirt of WD40, and remove/re-insert them a few times to clean them up. then maybe dab some petroleum jelly on them.. But is there a better method? Some sort of emery cloth would probably clean them up, but not easy to get into the tight connectors? Perhaps replacement?!
Ideally I'd like to see some shine on the metal contacts, and then protect them.
For round pin type terminals
Plugging in and unplugging them several times can unknowingly create problems due to the female terminals opening up a touch too much, this method often doesn't clean enough of whatever's on the terminals off them
Buy some new male and female terminals
Using pliers, squeeze up a new female terminal so that it's very tight to push over the plugs male pins, then push/pull, push/pull and so on the tight female terminal over the dirty pins
Slightly cut into and around a new male pin along its length at intervals (scratching it to rough it up a little)
Pushing and pulling the scratched male pin in and out of the female plug terminals will clean them
For flat type terminals
Cut a short length of stainless steel from an old wiper blade and insert into a small file handle, use the end of the stainless steel to scrape away a little at the male terminals and insert it in and out of the female terminals several times
Other method is to separate and leave the plugs and sockets soaking in a small container of vinegar, keep an eye on them, wash off with water and blow dry them
Keep terminals in the downward/lowest position if using vinegar otherwise the vinegar could begin to run/syphon along the cables conductors
Plugging in and unplugging them several times can unknowingly create problems due to the female terminals opening up a touch too much, this method often doesn't clean enough of whatever's on the terminals off them
Buy some new male and female terminals
Using pliers, squeeze up a new female terminal so that it's very tight to push over the plugs male pins, then push/pull, push/pull and so on the tight female terminal over the dirty pins
Slightly cut into and around a new male pin along its length at intervals (scratching it to rough it up a little)
Pushing and pulling the scratched male pin in and out of the female plug terminals will clean them
For flat type terminals
Cut a short length of stainless steel from an old wiper blade and insert into a small file handle, use the end of the stainless steel to scrape away a little at the male terminals and insert it in and out of the female terminals several times
Other method is to separate and leave the plugs and sockets soaking in a small container of vinegar, keep an eye on them, wash off with water and blow dry them
Keep terminals in the downward/lowest position if using vinegar otherwise the vinegar could begin to run/syphon along the cables conductors
Edited by Penelope Stopit on Tuesday 24th December 11:37
I’d be careful about trying to close female connectors with a pair of pliers. From my experience, you’ll just flatten them.
The female connectors I normally deal with, are a piece of metal with a 135 degree bend in them. As the pin opens up, it starts edging towards 180 degrees, and it’s too open to grab the male correctly.
There’s normally a little inspection hole covered by a tab. I pry that tab open, and push the metal fold back closed.
No google involved there, but I do the repair at work, on a weekly basis
The female connectors I normally deal with, are a piece of metal with a 135 degree bend in them. As the pin opens up, it starts edging towards 180 degrees, and it’s too open to grab the male correctly.
There’s normally a little inspection hole covered by a tab. I pry that tab open, and push the metal fold back closed.
No google involved there, but I do the repair at work, on a weekly basis
RUSSELLM said:
I’d be careful about trying to close female connectors with a pair of pliers. From my experience, you’ll just flatten them.
The female connectors I normally deal with, are a piece of metal with a 135 degree bend in them. As the pin opens up, it starts edging towards 180 degrees, and it’s too open to grab the male correctly.
There’s normally a little inspection hole covered by a tab. I pry that tab open, and push the metal fold back closed.
No google involved there, but I do the repair at work, on a weekly basis
Google? Where is Google mentioned?The female connectors I normally deal with, are a piece of metal with a 135 degree bend in them. As the pin opens up, it starts edging towards 180 degrees, and it’s too open to grab the male correctly.
There’s normally a little inspection hole covered by a tab. I pry that tab open, and push the metal fold back closed.
No google involved there, but I do the repair at work, on a weekly basis
Any heavy handed giant will flatten round female terminals
Tightening terminals is all about being gentle, it's all in the wrist action
Does it even matter if a terminal or two was flattened during a first time attempt?
Actually the connectors come apart quite easily and the pins are easy to remove. That gives you a chance to inspect the wiring, clean then and the plug sockets. I don't bother with vaseline etc, it just makes it messy for next time.
On the door connectors (my most frequent ones) you pull the tab from across the middle rear, and then most pins have a small metal flap to push in to release the pin.
I have fibre pens, very fine emery paper, a small round file etc for cleaning, plus contact oil.
On the door connectors (my most frequent ones) you pull the tab from across the middle rear, and then most pins have a small metal flap to push in to release the pin.
I have fibre pens, very fine emery paper, a small round file etc for cleaning, plus contact oil.
I’ve progressively replaced the connectors in the doors to the super seal type. There’s a good write up on it somewhere on here.
On my 205 Gti project I’ve opened up the connectors and managed to replace all the pins. These were still available. Can’t imagine TVR would have used anything too exotic.
I did use the advice above for deoxidising the wire ends on both TVR and Peugeot using vinegar etc.., it worked really well.
Good luck !
On my 205 Gti project I’ve opened up the connectors and managed to replace all the pins. These were still available. Can’t imagine TVR would have used anything too exotic.
I did use the advice above for deoxidising the wire ends on both TVR and Peugeot using vinegar etc.., it worked really well.
Good luck !
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