Electrical Clean-up

[windy one]

I got one for all you fellow wdge heads. Just dropped the engine/trans in my 7. Preparing to plug all the wires back in and get her ready to fire up.

All the wiring-harness plugs; over the years my method to clean the corrosion out of the connectors in the (wiring harness) plugs (i.e; the electrical connections) was to wrap sandpaper around a screwdriver and/or awl, and scrub em clean. Before I plug everything back in I need to clean out the corrosion and grease em with dielectric grease.

Here is my question...how do <i>you</i> go about cleaning out your connectors? Same way as me, or something easier? It gets a bit tedious with all the little pieces of sandpaper. I havent seen any tool made yet that is small enough to clean them without damaging the terminal itself (in other words, a tool similar to a battery terminal brush). Any suggestions folks?

I should add, I am reconnecting the (original) harnesses that are currently on the car. They are in good shape save for the corrosion on the brass. Im not replacing or intend to, any of them. They just need a good cleaning before I plug everything back in. Thought Id ask before I begin my usual sanding process.

Johnny

[Henk]

Hi, I use a Dremel with a little engraving cutter, this works easy for all the connections and switches.

Henk

1980 TR7 US Convertible
1978 Mini Clubman Estate

[windy one]

NICE! [^] I did not think of that, I have a dremmel and a gnarly set of bits for it! Thanx

Johnny

[FI Spyder]

Sounds pretty drastic to me. I use a little circular brush from a brush set I got at dollar store amd some metal cleaner, Wicked Metal Cleaner or Brasso, then flush the grit out with a shot of comtact cleaner, a dash of compressed air then a light coating of dielectric grease applied with a tooth pick.



TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

[windy one]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by FI Spyder</i>

Sounds pretty drastic to me. I use a little circular brush from a brush set I got at dollar store amd some metal cleaner<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes, you could almost destroy the connector brass if you are not very careful, but it worked. These brushes you mention, what were they originally intended for? i.e; what did the package say? Id like to try that too, as some I was leary on using the dremmel on (and reverted back to the sandpaper trick). I appreciate the input [:D]

Johnny

[jclay (RIP 2018)]

Get a cheap gun cleaning kit (22 cal) that has a brass barrel brush. Hook it in your drill and use it to clean the brass.

jclay

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[FI Spyder]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by windy one</i>
[br These brushes you mention, what were they originally intended for? i.e; what did the package say? Id like to try that too
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

They are a selection of round, tapered stiff bristle brushes of different sizes on a ring attached through a round circle in the wire handle. This can be cut off and wound wire handle put in drill if you want more brushing speed. I think they are a buck for the whole lot. Check your local dollar stores to see if they have something similar. Ask the managers/owners to see if they know of anything similar.


TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

[silverseven]

Spyder, kind of a a silly question, but could you post a quick pic of this set for us??
(maybe it's just because it's late, but I can't picture what this object looks like at-all in my head right now........)

Ron.

[FI Spyder]

Sure, can do. The small brush is used to clean push on connectors. The one with no circle on handle I put in drill for heavier duty cleaning. There is a fourth brush missing in the set. Time to pick up another set.





TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

[windy one]

Thanx! [:D] Brushes like those would have helped. I will be looking for some the next day or two (I have quite a few dollar stores near here). And thanx jclay. I wouldve went your way but my (gun cleaning) kit only has 38sp. on up[}:)], and dollar stores are closer than my friends gun shop.

Johnny

[silverseven]

wow that was quick,thanks spyder!

- wifey must have wondered what the heck you were doing with the digi cam at 5 in the morning [:o)]


Guess I've got reason now to bring the kids to dollarrama now too!



Ron.

[yorkens]

My method for cleaning the headlamp plugs and similar are as follows: Whenever possible i separate the brass male/female tubular connectors from the plastic block for better cleaning access. The brass parts are retained with one ore more little tabs that can be bent carefully inwards with a miniature flat blade screwdriver to release them from the plastic part. I clean my contacts with very fine wire wool. To clean the female contact i make a spiral of wire wool, small enough to enter the hole and then gently "screw it in", pushing in as much wool as possible, and then slowly screwing out.For larger holes i wrap the wool over a tooth pick. Before refitting the contacts the little tab/s have to be bent outwards, checking that they click into place, (i push and pull to make shure) After a good blowout i apply copper grease to all contacts. It takes some practice and a loads of patience but it leaves a great peace of mind!
There´s rarely an easy way on TR 7´s, right?

[tom bauer]

brushes are available in almost any size and shape imaginable, in steel or brass. check with a harbour freight store or on e-bay. i saw a set from one of the mechanic tool truck people that must have had 50 different sizes.

[windy one]

Allright [:D] I like the suggestions! Thanx-all once again.

Harbor Freight...how did I not think to check there...duh. [xx(] (Im like a kid in a candy store there)

Johnny

[windy one]

Slightly off topic question...about the ign coil.

Installed regular 12volt coil on my 2.0L TR7, and was told to Not hook-up the little ballast resistor (that bolts to the coil bracket on a TR7). When I bypass the ballast resistor....what do i do with the two wires that ran to it? Cut and tape them up, or install a jumper between them??

Johnny