electrical contact cleaning

[abas]

Here's one for you electrical gurus.

I have just got my engine bay wiring loom for my 1970 z out of storage, where it has been for about 10 years. A lot of the electrical connectors look as if they have mild corrosion on them. On any other car I would probably give the connectors a blast with with WD40 and try my luck, but knowing how critical the condition of the electrical connections can be for a z I wondered if there was any better way of cleaning up the connectors on the loom before I refit it to the car. The loom is in good condition otherwise.

Thanks for any help/experiences

Andrew

[MikeW]

WD40 may be fine for cleaning the contacts but you may want to also apply some dielectric grease before making the connections. This will help prevent further corrosion and improve the conductivity.

[TomoHawk]

There is a liquid called "EVapo rust." I have I've been using it on bolts & stuff I have sitting in boxes. It will take the rust off stuff without pitting. You just let it soak.

There is also a spray called "deOxit" that is supposed to be good for removing corrosion/rust from electrical connectors.

[240znz]

We use needle files to scratch up the metal of the socket. You'll need to find a real skinny one though to fit the slot. Don't go too mad though. Use some wet and dry to scuff up the spades.

Before you put it all together use some CRC contact cleaner to clean the surfaces from all grease/swarf etc. Doesn't WD40 leave a oily residue?

[240znz]

Forgot to add that the wifes nail metal emery board is a great fit for the sockets.

[hls30.com]

Just use the DeOxit! Filing the connections will be a temporary fix that will usually make the problem come back-but faster. DeOxit removes and neutralizes the corrosion, and leaves a coating to keep it from comming back!

Will

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by hls30.com

Just use the DeOxit! Filing the connections will be a temporary fix that will usually make the problem come back-but faster. DeOxit removes and neutralizes the corrosion, and leaves a coating to keep it from comming back!

Will

G' Morning Will:

I was hoping that you'd see this thread and chime in, since you are or will soon be working on a wiring loom. I don't believe that I've seen this product before. Is this DeOxit product a paste , powder, spray, or ? What type of store is it found in? Auto Parts, Electronics, or ?

Thanks,

Carl

[TomoHawk]

You have to order DeoxIt from the wholesaler, and it's a spray product:

Deoxit Info

[TomoHawk]

If you are interested in the evapo rust product:

http://www.orisonmarketing.com/corrosion/evaporust/evapo-rust.html

[TomoHawk]

How come the links didn't work?

[hls30.com]

Carl, TomoHawk,

I just bought three cans on ebay for less than what I could have bought two of them direct for!

The MFR also sells the stuff(in several varieties and forms) direct

http://shopping.netledger.com/caigstore

I am just getting ready to start on the harness, I have been cleaning up my rented worksopace, and once I get the car out there and upside down-early next week-I will begin on the harness!

FYI After unwraping the harness and cleaning the insulation, I will clean the crimped connections of corrosion with DeOxit, wash away the protective coating it leaves with laquer thinner, hit the connections with some flux, silver solder and heat, wash them again with thinner, and have them ready to rewrap and reinstall!

I am going to try tp keep the original fusebox in much the same way-if that does not cure its woes, I will replace it with thed blade type I have prepaired.

Will

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by TomoHawk

How come the links didn't work?

I am not 100% sure but it could be related to the fact that this thread is (in reality) an orphan thread. What I mean is that it was not created in a specific forum. Look up top and you'll see that it is in the "240Z, 260Z, 280Z Discussion ForumS" section which is really a heading for all of the forums such as Engine, or Suspension, or Electrical, etc. This thread is a good example of one that will be very difficult to find at a later date since it does not appear where people would logically expect to find it (Electrical Forum)

Notice that the "quotes", italics, bold, etc also do not work. I don't think this place was meant for threads to be posted.