Dielectric Grease

[Calladeb]

Help!
I read “somewhere” that when winterizing, you should put dielectric grease in the 7 pin cable connection from the trailer to the tow vehicle. This was to stop corrosion over winter.
How badly did I mess up?
How do I clean it out?
Thanks for your help

[SteveSueMac]

Did you or didn’t you use it?

Either way - no catastrophe. [emoji3]

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Calladeb

Help!
I read “somewhere” that when winterizing, you should put dielectric grease in the 7 pin cable connection from the trailer to the tow vehicle. This was to stop corrosion over winter.
How badly did I mess up?
How do I clean it out?
Thanks for your help

Mess up.....NOT

That's what the 'letric is all about, no clean out needed.👍

Bob
🇺🇸

[SYC2Vette]

That's the type of application that dielectric grease is made for, in fact some connectors come with it pre-applied. ACDelco makes a good one to be used on fuel injector and spark plug connections. Only downside is that if you drop the connector in the dirt, it will pick up contamination. A simple cap to block dirt and dust is a good idea.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Typically dielectric grease is a silicone based lubricant. The gotcha with silicone based lubricants is that there is pretty much no way to wash them off. That's also the advantage of silicone based lubricants

A can of silicone spray lube will do the same sort of "protection" and not quite get as much gooey mess all over the place.

Bob

[Adventure.AS]

Originally Posted by Calladeb

Help!
I read “somewhere” that when winterizing, you should put dielectric grease in the 7 pin cable connection from the trailer to the tow vehicle. This was to stop corrosion over winter.
How badly did I mess up?
How do I clean it out?
Thanks for your help

A thin coating of the dielectric grease is good to leave on the contacts, but you should remove any 'globs' as it will attract dirt - especially if you drop the cable on the ground.

[VeloBuckeye]

Agree with using sparingly— just enough to coat the terminals. First time years ago I used WAY too much and while towing, my TV’s dashboard kept lighting up telling me the cable was disconnected (the plug was firmly connected). A mechanic at our service place told me using too much dielectric grease “confuses” the terminals as if they are touching one another. Don’t know if that is true, but ever since using just a bit to coat the terminals we haven’t had that issue again. As stated by others, a cap keeps the end clean when not in use.

[ROBERT CROSS]

...I fill the female end with dielectric grease and don't really worry about a little dirt, It's more likely that corrosion from moisture will be your biggest concern.

In my experience what's more important...keep it dry and protected.👍

Bob
🇺🇸

Cable disconnected....I now us a velcro strap.