How Do you Clean Harness Connector plugs?

Discussion in '2.3L (N/A & Turbo)' started by wuzfast, Jul 14, 2004.

  1. wuzfast Founding Member

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    I've heard that corrosion on some of the pins in the harness connectors might be the cause of DIS failures. I've damaged two of the modules now so that the Tach. only shows 1/2 the real rpm. Idle is rougher and standing starts seem like the engine timing is retarded. It runs OK when I get it rolling and the mileage seems about the same, but the tach is only showing half RPM. The problem went away after changing the module but after about 6 months, it's back again. The modules are expensive as hell new and are nonexistent in the junk yards around here. If dirty connector pins may be causing the falures... How the heck do you get in there to clean them, and with what? Is there a pin & plug cleaning tool for those things or is there a way to release the pins from the plugs so you can remove them for a little polishing?
  2. wuzfast Founding Member

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    Up Again?

    All these looks and all this time and nobody knows? This looks like an invention opportunity!
  3. Dr_EluSivE Founding Member

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    you could probably use wirebrush pipecleaners or a solvent to dissolve the rust.

    Dr.
  4. NY Eric New Member

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    I recomend electric contact cleaner (found at radio shack). small tools like an emeryboard (fine) dental pick, q-tips, and pipe cleaners. If all else fails replace the offending plug.
  5. stackz Founding Member

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    brake parts cleaner. plain and simple.

    Spray it at the connector, in the connector, and on the connector and this and that. It'll dissolve even the factory di-electric grease and dries without residue. On some nastier connectors I've also had to quickly grab a wire brush and scrub it then respray.

    Remember to coat the connectors in fresh di-electric grease before reconnecting. (it's the battery terminal stuff you can get in tiny packets at the parts store for $0.88).

    oh, and if you think there's corrosion on the terminals then just scrape them with something thin like an ice pick or what not and respray them to get the corrosion out before recoating them in grease.

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