Clean contacts until shiny (nail file, sandpaper, whatever), then thin coat of dielectric on the contacts, then put it back together.

 

The dielectric grease is suppose to conduct electricity and you're just trying to minimize the combination of moisture and oxygen from reaching the metallic connection components.

 

Dielectric grease does NOT conduct electricity.

It is a HD insulator, used mainly to prevent moisture intrusion into coil and spark plug boots - if the stuff was a conductor then the simple act of wiping it into a plug or coil boot would ground the spark directly to the plug shell or coil tower.

Read the packaging............. read the reports.

https://www.google.com/search?q=aut...+ignitin+dielectric+grease&aqs=chrome..69i57.11185j1j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

It allows the transmission of electrical force through a conductor while insulating it from adjacent metals or conductors ........

"dielectric" def.: https://www.google.com/search?sourc...6.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..0.11.586...0i131k1j0i131i46k1j46i131k1.0.biOHd_mJtSA

 

Thanks Sub. Research is what's causing my confusion. CRC company (who makes the good contact cleaner) says squirt a big amount of dielectric grease into all contacts, then reconnect. Seemingly knowledgable others on the Internet say don't use it for anything except spark plug boots to prevent arcing.

 

Thanks Sub. Research is what's causing my confusion. CRC company (who makes the good contact cleaner) says squirt a big amount of dielectric grease into all contacts, then reconnect. Seemingly knowledgable others on the Internet say don't use it for anything except spark plug boots to prevent arcing.

That's the key to that sentence. IDK where they get the idea it's only for spark plug boots, but it's for ALL electrical connections. As a matter of fact, it's sometimes sold as "bulb grease" indicating use on bulb sockets.

 

:yeah:

 

Discussion confusing. If one fills a light bulb socket with the stuff (which I've seen recommended many times incl battery terminals) and then inserts the bulb socket, if it didn't conduct electricity wouldn't it have a negative affect on the quality of the electrical connection ? Why would one want/cause the base of the bulb to be "insulated" from the bulb socket ?

 

The actual metal parts that are in contact with one another will "scrape" their way thru the grease and make contact just fine. The grease prevents oxidation from disrupting that contact over time. The stuff works.

 

Thanks guys. What's throwing me is that it's a good idea to put an insulator between electrical contacts... generally, no bueno.

In conclusion: sand/clean contacts, add thin layer of dielectric grease, reconnect. Right?

 

I said "mainly" in Post 4 - in the most common automotive application. You can use the stuff anywhere you want to reduce/prevent metal oxidation and moisture intrusion. Various exterior bulb sockets are a prime example.

The fuse boxes and snap connectors in my boat are well gooped - salt water and electricity don't mix well.

 

Thanks guys. I'll do it and update about results.

 

One of the most common problems on the late '60's Mopars is corrosion & oxidation on the bulkhead connection contacts.

Luckily, mine was in good shape even after 49 years, but I pulled all three connectors and brushed the spades and female connectors with dielectric grease to prevent any oxidation and have had no problems since.

P.S.
Photos are not my actual connectors. Mine where in better condition.