What can I use to clean some electrical contacts on my car, like bulb sockets,and connectors?

Isopropyl Alcohol and Q-Tips are very effective. If you cannot clean it this way, Electrical Contact Cleaner (in a spray can) is the next best thing.

crc brand product called Lectra-motive works real well (part # 05018) available at most parts houses. however be careful may harm certain plastics (lexan in particular will not survive) I assume you will be able to figure out how i know this!!!

I have always been suspicious of this stuff. I mean spray "contact cleaners" in general. Generally when connectors go bad it is due to oxidation or physical wear. I have tried "contact cleaners" a few times and they have never done anything for me. I have had good luck with silicone grease/dielectric grease on some connections to keep water out. I would not recommend it on lamp sockets since the heat would cause it to leave the area I imagine. I am curious what the problem is that you are trying to cure. If you find one of these products really works let me know. I have never tried the CRC product but the write up I saw for it says it "flushes away grease, oil, dirt" These are not the problems with connectors in my experience.

Mike

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1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

Right or wrong, I have always used any reasonable method of cleaning the contact areas, including abrasive cloth, wire brush, alcohol, CRC, etc. and then apply dielectric grease. The latter reduces/slows the chance of oxidation. Though I have never really considered that heat limited the life of this procedure it certainly is possible. When I install light bulbs in my home I use the dielectric grease and seem to get good bulb life. Never approached it as an experiment to verify it just relied on what I was taught years ago. I'd certainly be interested in hearing from others with opinions on this topic.

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Steve
'87 300TD - 132K - Soon 4-Sale
'84 300D Turbo - 122K - Driving
'77 VW Type II - 77K - Restored
'08 250EX Ninja
English Bulldog (Brier) - My best friend. Passed away 12/02/04 while in my arms.

Go to Radio Shack and get DeOxit--this is REAL GOOD contact cleaner and antioxidation stuff. It works, does no harm to plastics and such