Needle files

[petem]

Has anyone tried using 'needle files' (I think that's what they are called) to clean the female ends of corroded connectors?

I have some sterndrive trim connectors that I suspect are corroded and all Volvo ever do it replace the entire switch (at £150 a pop) that is terminated with a male connector.

 

[The Q]

Often done it as I've got lots of needles files for railway modelling. You need to re tin the connector afterwards though..
Don't bother if it's a gold plated connector though, unless you are good at gold plating..

 

[Bilgediver]

Has anyone tried using 'needle files' (I think that's what they are called) to clean the female ends of corroded connectors?

I have some sterndrive trim connectors that I suspect are corroded and all Volvo ever do it replace the entire switch (at £150 a pop) that is terminated with a male connector.

Yes and following the cleaning with the file carefully lubricate with a Copper Slip type grease which is available from Halfords . ONLY APPLY TO CONTACT PARTS. It is conductive.

 

[Poignard]

I would first try a pipe cleaner and switch cleaning fluid.

 

[B27]

Depending on the contact type, it may be better to squeeze them so they grip the other part better?
Filing them slacker won't help!

 

[petem]

I would first try a pipe cleaner and switch cleaning fluid.

Do you mean contact cleaner? Would that actually remove light corrosion / vert-de-gris?

 

[petem]

Depending on the contact type, it may be better to squeeze them so they grip the other part better?
Filing them slacker won't help!

It's a connector like this...

https://files.ekmcdn.com/boatspares...&h=300&v=56b8f012-ad8c-4816-b539-63f00d76581e

 

[Refueler]

Depending on the contact type, it may be better to squeeze them so they grip the other part better?
Filing them slacker won't help!

On the silly twin pin plugs - I slit the pins and then prise the two halves slightly apart to force them to be tight fit into socket.

On others that you cannot do that - I have used solder to build up the pins and then file back to smooth etc - making it a better fit to socket ..

 

[Refueler]

It's a connector like this...

https://files.ekmcdn.com/boatspares...&h=300&v=56b8f012-ad8c-4816-b539-63f00d76581e

That's a different ball game ... not so easy to fix ...

What about changing both plug and socket to a more serviceable type ?

 

[snowbird30ds]

Pop the pins out of the block with a release tool, there's usually a couple of tangs on the side that you can pick out a bit to make it fit tighter.
Release tool kits are cheap off fleabay.

 

[KevinV]

A file might be a bit rough. I've use 800 grit rolled up, which unrolls slightly when in

 

[pandos]

Contact cleaner and a matchstick and or a tooth brush...you might be surprised at how effective just soaking the contacts in contact cleaner can be.

 

[MontyMariner]

That picture looks like it's using standard mate n loc pins
Amazon.co.uk : mate-n-lok
Buy an extraction tool to get them out.

PS just looked at the price of an extractor - some are eye watering!