4 Wire Trailer Connector Cleaning

[NETim]

Intermittently, I would lose brake/LH turn light on my boat trailers. A shot of good ol' WD40 would restore function.

Today I decided to get serious. I hit each connector pin on the truck side connector with some red De-Oxit contact cleaner. I swabbed out each pin with a cotton swab. The swabs came out nasty coal black.

I would say there was some corrosion and grime in there.

Time will tell how long this "fix" will last. I've had a lot of good luck with De-Oxit on low voltage connections in the past though. What I like about it is that it cleans, protects and lubes electrical contacts.

 

[2003F350]

Yeah for whatever reason 4-wire connections tend to get grubby, even with a cover/cap over them. Not entirely sure why but 7-way rounds tend to hold up better over the long term. I've converted many 4-wire connections to 7-rounds in the past because I'm not overly fond of adapters and even with them 4-way flats tend to crap out.

It's been a long time since I've had a trailer with a 4-flat though. Anymore everything I have is big enough to need brakes, which means either a 5-flat for surge brakes (which I'll convert when it goes bad, it currently has an adapter to 7-round) or a 7-round these days.

 

[Badger 13]

I also use a good electrical contact cleaner along with trailer connector cleaning tools from IPA.

 

[Travelin Ram]

In my experience they all get dirty eventually and need cleaned, more so if you operate in dirty conditions or salt.

Thanks for the product recommendation.

 

[NETim]

I also use a good electrical contact cleaner along with trailer connector cleaning tools from IPA.

View attachment 530778

I saw those but the Amazon reviews kind of put me off. Cotton swabs and 17 caliber bore brushes work for me. Along with the wonderful De-Oxit stuff.

 

[Scottly]

I used to use TV tuner cleaner back when TV tuners still existed.

But back then, we had to walk uphill through **** carpet to change the channel...In both directions, mind you.