My Cutlass sat for a long time before I purchased it without the engine and headlight harness plugged in. The terminals are white and powdery. What is the best way to clean these before I plug in the new harnesses.
Thanks

 

I use a Scotchbrite pad to clean them up. I also put a little "copper Schmear" on them before plugging back together. I can't remember where I got it, but it is made by Thomas and Betts. It looks like Neverseaz paste, but is mostly copper and helps conductance.

 

I would use electrical parts cleaner and an acid brush. I would be afraid that the Scotchbrite pad would leave little green fuzz on the terminal.

 

Besides helping conductance, this stuff also helps the terminals come apart easier when you need to. Here is the info:

Kopr-Shield part# 201-31879 conductive anti-corrosion compound. Thomas and Betts Company.

 

It depends on which terminals and how bad they are. I use electrical contact cleaner in a spray can (Radio Shack, NAPA, etc) for general cleaning and connector lubrication. If the terminals inside the plastic connector bodies are really bad, you need to remove the terminals to really scrub them. A jeweler's screwdriver or paper clip will depress the lock tab on each terminal and allow you to remove it.

 

I use a cordless dremel with the fine wire brush attachment to get the worst off, then alcohol on a cotton swab or rag. I dremel it just enough to remove the nasty stuff, not to eat through any plating the terminal may have.
The tiny screwdrivers work well in tiny confined areas.
If dielectric grease is handy, i like to use that on the polished terminals before reassembly to prevent future oxidation and corrosion.

 

mix baking soda in warm water and spray or pour on. keep repeating till corrosion is gone. clean with a straight water rinse. dry and use dielectric grease.

 

Thanks for all of the pointers! I'll give a couple a try. I do have some dielectric grease on hand.
Thanks again