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Cleaning Connectors and Applying Stabilant

Discussion in '348/355' started by jm348ts, Oct 26, 2011.

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  1. jm348ts

    jm348ts Karting

    Oct 22, 2009
    95
    New York
    Full Name:
    John Moy
    #1 jm348ts, Oct 26, 2011
    Searched for connector cleaning techniques and also did not find very much. Other than spraying contact cleaner and blasting with compressed air how do you do this in the really hard to reach places like the Tempurature sensors in a 348?

    Also many posts recommend applying Stabilant 22a to the contacts after cleaning. Do I need to be very precise in applying it? Does getting any Stabilant in between the contact wires (on the plastic) cause problems?

    Thanks.
     
  2. mj_duell

    mj_duell Formula 3

    Nov 20, 2004
    1,421
    S. Glastonbury, CT.
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #2 mj_duell, Oct 26, 2011
    You may want to do a search on issues possibly caused by Stabilant 22. Dave Helms is the guy to look for here as far as your wiring issues. Your best bet for a solid, reliable connections is a gold connector kit, IMHO. I had temp sensor issues at first as well. Try cleaning them with contact cleaner and a very small wire contact brush.

    --Mike
     
  3. Kaivball

    Kaivball Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jan 11, 2007
    35,997
    Kalifornia
    #3 Kaivball, Oct 26, 2011
    I would not recommend applying stabilant.

    Kai


    Is it 2012 yet?
     
  4. jm348ts

    jm348ts Karting

    Oct 22, 2009
    95
    New York
    Full Name:
    John Moy
    #4 jm348ts, Oct 26, 2011
    Thanks Mike but it is still very hard to reach. Will do the best I can.

    Kai, as you probably know many tout the benefits of Stabilant. I have also recently read about the problem with repeated use causing a varnish like buildup. Is a single application a bad idea? Thanks.
     
  5. mj_duell

    mj_duell Formula 3

    Nov 20, 2004
    1,421
    S. Glastonbury, CT.
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #5 mj_duell, Oct 26, 2011
    Before you use it, trust us and chat with Dave Helms or read his threads. He really is the the go to guy for these cars as far as the electrical contacts. Stabilant does work temporarily, but you should look at making the car bullet proof so you are not chasing ghosts. I went through a good amount of sensors before sorting my electrical system. Haven't had a single CEL since.

    --Mike
     
  6. davehelms

    davehelms F1 Rookie

    Jan 3, 2004
    4,629
    Full Name:
    Dave Helms
    #6 davehelms, Oct 26, 2011
    Yup.
     
  7. Kaivball

    Kaivball Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jan 11, 2007
    35,997
    Kalifornia
    #7 Kaivball, Oct 26, 2011
    Yes.

    The only way I got rid of my electrical gremlins (random check engine and slow down lights) was to install the gold kit (and new O2 sensors).

    I have not had a check engine light since (2000 miles of driving).

    Kai


    Is it 2012 yet?
     
  8. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
    34,777
    Ontario, Canada
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #8 AceMaster, Oct 26, 2011
    Forget about the stabilant.
     
  9. ricbowling

    ricbowling Karting

    Jan 21, 2008
    140
    Cascais
    Full Name:
    Ricardo Almeida
    #9 ricbowling, Oct 26, 2011
    remove both useless ecu sensors and apply stabiliant to everything (3 years problems free until now). If you have money to spend buy the gold kit.
     
  10. jm348ts

    jm348ts Karting

    Oct 22, 2009
    95
    New York
    Full Name:
    John Moy
    #10 jm348ts, Oct 26, 2011
    Thanks Kai, Mike, and Dave,
    No Stabilant. Will finish cleaning and assemble tonight. Wish me luck.
     
  11. mj_duell

    mj_duell Formula 3

    Nov 20, 2004
    1,421
    S. Glastonbury, CT.
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #11 mj_duell, Oct 26, 2011
    Good luck! Won't take you too long and you will be a pro at this. If you are doing the wrenching yourself you will learn a lot. The people here on the forum are very knowledgeable and made it very easy to fix and mod a great many things on my 348.

    --Mike
     
  12. jm348ts

    jm348ts Karting

    Oct 22, 2009
    95
    New York
    Full Name:
    John Moy
    #12 jm348ts, Oct 26, 2011
    Thanks Mike,
    I am doing my own work and actually enjoying learning about the car. You are right, the brotherhood is a great help and I am learning my way around the site and my car. It will be even better once I get it on the road without the CEL's.
    John
     
  13. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    28,999
    socal
    #13 fatbillybob, Oct 26, 2011
    I am very sorry. I was one of the first to promote s22. It was a miracle contact enhancer that the millatary says works. I am sure it does but sometimes our application is wrong. A girl ooks great with lipstick. But Lipstick on a pig is still a pig. We found s22 over a short period of time to be lacking and underperform simple contact cleaner spray. Today we believe in gold connector kits from SRI first and aggressive clean with wire brush and contact cleaner as a very distant short term second. I have a theory as to why s22 fails but the SRI solution is so much more elegant why bother.
     
  14. mseals

    mseals Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Sep 9, 2007
    24,468
    Kuwait
    Full Name:
    Mike Seals
    #14 mseals, Oct 26, 2011
    Chubby,

    You know better than to introduce P&R here!

    :D

    Mike
     
  15. xtcgt

    xtcgt Karting

    Nov 20, 2009
    156
    Toms River NJ
    Full Name:
    Robert Boynton
    #15 xtcgt, Oct 26, 2011
    Clean terminals. Close female ends to make sure contact is being made. A sound electrical contact without water/humidity intrusion should last a long time.

    has worked for me, and hasn't cost a dime.
     
  16. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,044
    USA
    #16 f355spider, Oct 26, 2011
    I have come full circle, from a proponent of Stabilant to simply recommending cleaning only. If you got the dough, and willing to invest the time, Dave Helms gold connector kit is a worthwhile investment. But only if you are willing to take the time, and have the patience to do it right. It was one of the most satisfying upgrades to my 355.
     

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