What should I smear on electrical connections ?
 

Hello All,
so I'm working on the 1998 Chrysler minivan - and its giving me fits like bad grounds or power connections.

So I have some engine bay parts apart - I found dedicated grounding studs (one on the engine, one on the fender) and some other various electrical bits that want cleaned.

I can wire brush them no sweat, but after that - is there something I can put on the threads/washers/metal parts that would either help its electrical connection, keep things clean inside or just make me feel better that I tried to clean up the grounds ?

I have a small assortment of chemicals in my garage, including any number of petroleum distillates (motor oil, xmsn oil, fork oil, 2-stroke oil, WD40...) Silver Anti-seize, copper RTV gasket maker, powdered graphite lubricant, wheel bearing grease, brake pad anti squeal, a few different types of greases, water, simple green, brake cleaner, B12chemtool carb dip (!).

I've heard of dedicated dielectric grease, but:
a) I dont want a dieelectric, I want it to conduct
b) I dont have any of that on hand anyway.


Any thoughts on what to smear on electrical connections ? (including fuse blades)

-John

Either Vaseline or silicone dielectric grease -- it will be wiped away where the metal parts touch, so it will still conduct.

best thing would be a clean dry connection. you can add dieelectric grease after assembly, but do not put it between connections. ie battery connections, ring lugs on studs ect

I've used silicone based grease in the past...water proof and wont corrode.

Dielectric grease.
As long as you have clean metal, the grease will not inhibit the connection, but will seal it from outside intrusion, corrosion and potential wet condition arcing.

I like the Motorcraft version, but pretty sure they are all about the same.

there is a type of grease that electricians use on copper/aluminum connections to prevent corrosion between the 2.can get at any place that has a good electrical section.

Dielectric sticks like no other, but I use regular pump grease on my battery connections, etc.

You want to deny oxygen and moisture.Most conection terminations are treated for corrosion resistance with a plating. Once you clean one that has evidence of corrosion it is reasonable to assume that protective layer may be gone.

I just normally use thick bearing grease throughout the assembly of electrical terminations. . That way there is not much likelyhood of having to revisit those connections in the future. A silicone grease on connections where there is plastic involved as I would not want to take a chance of the normal grease causing issued with the plastic plugs etc. This all becomes a habit to do with time. Mechanical connections are usually the weakest point in any electical circuit.

Would it be good to grease the battery connections?

I've greased every battery connection on every vehicle I've owned. The result- no electrical issues other than batteries/alternators dying of old age.

We used to put a few copper pennies on top of our car batteries as well. either the cells venting a little coated the top of the battery with an acidic condition or whatever. The pennies turned green over time. We assumed they were neutralising at least some acid.