Since I'm chasing an electrical problem, I came across a thread about dielectric grease.

How many use dielectric grease on their electrical connections?

Is this something that should be put on the ECM connector to help keep moisture out?

 

I would only recommend it if you are willing to deal with the absolute mess it will create. The stuff I've used for outdoor wire nuts essentially never dries or even skins over, and is a royal pain in the *** to get off your hands.
There may be varieties out there that don't exhibit this behavior but I don't know of any. I would recommend RTV or other style caulking if you want to create a flexible yet watertight joint in your connector headers.

 

Just use Vaseline Petroleum Jelly. It's the same stuff. And yes, by all means use it when connecting the ecm plugs. An electrical engineer told me this years ago and it has never failed me....or him.

 

So even though the ecm connector has a boot, I should use a dielectric grease? How much should I use -- slather it on so it fills the holes or use sparingly -- I'm unclear on this part. Still seems odd to me to be adding a non-conductive material into something I want to conduct VERY WELL.

 

I *always* use dieletric grease. Sure, it will mess up your hands but it will stop corrosion in its tracks. Last time I had a bulb failure the failure was actually in the socket contacts. A little cleaning, a squirt of grease and problem no more.

It's really cheap insurance.

 

yeah EJC you can buy in tubes. I agree with all above.... I use it all the time..... in work and on bike.

 

Should I spray an electric contact cleaner on any connectors, such as the ecm connector, and let dry for several minutes before applying the grease?

 

You don't have to load up the connection, just coat the two halves with some. Get enough on the pins to coat them. No need to get sloppy. The last time I used Vaseline was when I connected the PCIIIusb connections to the HD ECU. No problems. I know it seems weird, but greasing distributor points years ago seemed really crazy the first time I did it.

 

That certainly won't hurt and, as a matter of habit, is a good thing to do.

 

use the dielectric grease sold in a small tube, dab a small dlop on each female connector slot, like very little, dab a little and spread around seal, put the parts together, wipe off excess. Best part of Di grease is it makes it really easy to pull apart the parts later. If you use to much, it will be messy.