Dielectric grease - anyone use it?

[bodhi_tree777]

I'm slowly (very slowly) rebuilding a Mk2 VW and came across a recommendation on another board to use dielectric grease on the electrical connections. This fired up a heated debate about when, if and how one should use the stuff. Some felt that it should be used anywhere and everywhere that there is an electrical connection, others felt that only areas subject to corrosion needed it and others felt that it did more harm than good. Anyone here use it for any of their cars? If so, how do you apply it? (I've had some people recommend filling each end of a connector and then making the connection, others recommend just putting it around the outside of an already-completed connection)The gunk in question:

[vintagegz]

I use this everywhere, even on weather strips. Do not put too much in the connectors, just cover the female holes where the male connector will insert, too much and it may push out the connector when you put it together. This will keep salt and moisture out. On the weatherstrips it keeps them soft and from sticking to the body when it freezes outside. Great product, also sold by GM dealers.

[keithvibe]

With all the electrical work I have done I have used it on just about everything unless i have forgot to apply it.

[lovemyraffe]

I use it on everything electrical I do.

[knaffie]

I use it on everything, especially exterior connections.

[jimincalif]

The grease itself is supposedly non-conductive, which would imply that it should be used over the connectors and not when actually assembling a connection.That said, I used it on all connections when reinstalling the starter motor on my boat's diesel engine 3 years ago, and the connections still look good and have had no problems. I use it on the battery terminals and when replacing lightbulbs, on the contacts. One particularly hard to access bulb would need its terminals cleaned every year. I reassembled it with the grease a couple of years ago and so far so good.

[Water boy]

Light bulbs mostly.Even on the household brass threads of regular 110V bulbs.

[Whelan]

I put it on my battery terminals when I replace the battery. Same way I put the anti-seize on the sparkplugs when I replaced those too.

[djkeev]

I only recently began using it after 30+ years of fixing cars. I knew an old mechanic who used grease, just normal grease back in the early 70's on lights and connectors. I didn't like that, the grease would crust over and it was a mess! I never used grease of any sort because of him.I noticed new spark plug wires came with this grease preapplied in the boot. I purchased a tube and have been using it on many connections that are subject to severe operation environments. Thus far, I am happy though I opened the rear PONTIAC/Plate light in my Sunfire Convertible just the day and my old mechanic friend must have beat me there, dried crusty grease on the bulbs! What a mess.Dave

[Sublimewind]

Quote, originally posted by bodhi_tree777 »I'm slowly (very slowly) rebuilding a Mk2 VW and came across a recommendation on another board to use dielectric grease on the electrical connections. This fired up a heated debate about when, if and how one should use the stuff. Some felt that it should be used anywhere and everywhere that there is an electrical connection, others felt that only areas subject to corrosion needed it and others felt that it did more harm than good. Anyone here use it for any of their cars? If so, how do you apply it? (I've had some people recommend filling each end of a connector and then making the connection, others recommend just putting it around the outside of an already-completed connection)The gunk in question:NOTE something here, it wouldn't be a bad idea for you to unbolt any of the ground connections you find... sand a little under the terminal, scotch brite or steel wool the connectors themselves, apply the dielectric grease and bolt them back up... The car will run better.... trust me..

[Water boy]

QUOTE=Sublimewind]NOTE something here, it wouldn't be a bad idea for you to unbolt any of the ground connections you find... sand a little under the terminal, scotch brite or steel wool the connectors themselves, apply the dielectric grease and bolt them back up... The car will run better.... trust me.. [/QUOTE]********************************Just go ahead and do the Big 3.

[bodhi_tree777]

Quote, originally posted by Sublimewind »NOTE something here, it wouldn't be a bad idea for you to unbolt any of the ground connections you find... sand a little under the terminal, scotch brite or steel wool the connectors themselves, apply the dielectric grease and bolt them back up... The car will run better.... trust me.. That's right, you owned an Mk2 at one point didnt you? I'm going to start working my way through all of the connections, cleaning them up and applying this stuff. Just wanted to get some opinions on it first. Now if I can just figure out why it won't start at the ignition but will start when I bridge the terminals on the starter . I love electrical gremlins.

[Sublimewind]

Quote, originally posted by bodhi_tree777 »That's right, you owned an Mk2 at one point didnt you? I'm going to start working my way through all of the connections, cleaning them up and applying this stuff. Just wanted to get some opinions on it first. Now if I can just figure out why it won't start at the ignition but will starDoes the solenoid click when you try to start with the key? Wouldn't be the first time an IS went out on a VW... Was my pride and joy at one point...

[bodhi_tree777]

Quote, originally posted by Sublimewind »Does the solenoid click when you try to start with the key? Wouldn't be the first time an IS went out on a VW... Was my pride and joy at one point... nice! Not sure about the clicking, I'll have to get a buddy to turn the key while I listen. What does IS stand for? It will definitely start by bridging the two contacts with the key in the On position. I have a push button switch blank for the dash and I was toying with the idea of wiring up a push-button start (with one switch as the accessory power and the button as the actual ignition). Ghetto, for sure. I may have posted this before, but here's my girl as she sits:

[beemerphile1]

I had a car with that problem once. It was the neutral safety switch. Or if you have a manual, maybe a safety switch on the clutch.As to the original question, I have used dielectric grease with mixed results. Any electrical connections exposed to weather that will not be taken back apart, I seal up with RTV Silicone on the outside of the connector.

[Sublimewind]

IS is ignition solenoid, the thing you are bridging across the contacts with a screwdriver.. lol.. If you can apply 12v across the other 2 contacts and it DOESn'T click, it's likely dead.. simple..

[B14CK_H4WK]

its very good to keep good grounds!!! ive taken all my grounds off cleaned both the body and the connector and just put thermal electric grease all over all the grounds. it really helps. also a must for a sub ground, battery terminals def a must!!!