How to Clean a 7-Way Trailer Wiring Connector

Updated 08/23/2013 | Published 08/22/2013

Products Featured in This Question

Dielectric Grease for Electrical Connectors, 2 oz.

(1491)

$11.15

Question:

I am having problems with the lights on my trailer and, after reading some of your help articles and checking, I found corrosion in both sides of the connector on my truck. How would you suggest that I clean the corrosion out of the connector.

asked by: Jim

Expert Reply:

There are several items you might want to try using for removal of corrosion in your 7-way trailer connector, like part # HM48480.

White Vinegar
A wedge shaped, slip on pencil eraser or art gum eraser
Pipe cleaners
PB Blaster

If the corrosion is light, apply white vinegar with a pipe cleaner followed by scrubbing with the eraser to do the trick. If the corrosion is a bit heavier spray the connector down with PB Blaster first let it sit for a while and repeat. Once the connector has soaked for a while, use the vinegar approach to clean out the PB Blaster residue and corrosion that it loosened. You can do the same with the trailer end connector if the corrosion has gotten into it too.

This approach will do a good job of cleaning a connector that is not too badly corroded. If the corrosion is beyond the point of cleaning, a new connector is recommended. White vinegar will clean the connector and leave no moisture behind so that dielectric grease, # 11755, will then do a good job of protecting the contacts in the connector.

expert reply by: Robert G