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Headlight connector rust cleaning

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by shankyjones, Dec 4, 2022.

  1. Dec 4, 2022 at 11:15 AM
    #1
    shankyjones

    #1
    shankyjones [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Has anyone used the CRC connector cleaner to remove the rust from the 3prong connection? Mine are quite rusty and I am just curious as to whether using the cleaning then blowing it out with air gun would damage or remove most of the metal.
     
    shankyjones, Dec 4, 2022
    #1
  2. Dec 4, 2022 at 11:51 AM
    #2
    Bivouac

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    Bivouac Well-Known Member

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    Remains to be seen I bought the tires and wheels the rest came along
    I have used CRC 556 for years .

    Never had the connector cleaner is it made for rust??

    Rusty or Corrosion ??

    If blowing out with air removes metal it is time to replace . Reduce your air pressure protect your eyes.

    Pictures what your dealing with please
     
    Bivouac, Dec 4, 2022
    #2
  3. Dec 4, 2022 at 12:00 PM
    #3
    shankyjones

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    shankyjones [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Here ya go

    20221204_115752.jpg
    20221204_115738.jpg
     
    shankyjones, Dec 4, 2022
    #3
  4. Dec 4, 2022 at 12:08 PM
    #4
    ABA180

    #4
    ABA180 It burns when I pee....

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    I would bet you can find a universal replacement cheap and wire it yourself. Had this issue long ago with a few of my cars and that always fixed it.
     
    ABA180, Dec 4, 2022
    #4
  5. Dec 4, 2022 at 12:09 PM
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    Bishop84

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    Bishop84 Well-Known Member

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    You can go to any part store and ask for a headlight pigtail, wire in a new one and don't look back.

    I have to do this to my own truck sometime this week.

    Even if you cleaned the connections, the pins are likely weak on tension. Cheap and easy to replace the connector.
     
    Bishop84, Dec 4, 2022
    #5
  6. Dec 4, 2022 at 12:10 PM
    #6
    Bivouac

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    Bivouac Well-Known Member

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    Remains to be seen I bought the tires and wheels the rest came along
    So at this point your head lights no longer work??

    You can try cleaning since the lights no longer nothing to lose.

    I would just replace.
     
    Bivouac, Dec 4, 2022
    #6
  7. Dec 4, 2022 at 12:11 PM
    #7
    shankyjones

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    shankyjones [OP] Well-Known Member

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    On second view they are not too bad. I just sprayed the electronic cleaner and will blow out in a minute
     
    shankyjones, Dec 4, 2022
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  8. Dec 4, 2022 at 12:12 PM
    #8
    shankyjones

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    shankyjones [OP] Well-Known Member

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    The lights still work. Just some preventive maintenance
     
    shankyjones, Dec 4, 2022
    #8
    Bishop84 likes this.
  9. Dec 4, 2022 at 12:19 PM
    #9
    shankyjones

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    shankyjones [OP] Well-Known Member

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    As Eric the car guy says, 'get intimate with your car or truck...is what I am doing and having a blast!
     
    shankyjones, Dec 4, 2022
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  10. Dec 4, 2022 at 12:23 PM
    #10
    3JOH22A

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    3JOH22A Toyota Gigolo

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    For rusty connectors, DeoxIt works better because it dries more slowly (5-10 minutes), giving it more time to soak on the corrosion:
    $16 Hosa D5S-6 CAIG DeoxIT 5% Spray Contact Cleaner, 5 oz.
    https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-D5S-6-DeoxIT-Contact-Cleaner/dp/B00006LVEU/

    I've had Lloyds contact cleaner eat the paint on my grille. No experience with CRC to know if it'll do the same.
     
    3JOH22A, Dec 4, 2022
    #10
    shankyjones[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  11. Dec 4, 2022 at 12:32 PM
    #11
    shankyjones

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    shankyjones [OP] Well-Known Member

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    3JOH it has rave reviews
     
    shankyjones, Dec 4, 2022
    #11
  12. Dec 4, 2022 at 12:34 PM
    #12
    Nessal

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    Nessal Well-Known Member

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    I went through this not long ago with a few connectors and used 600grit and a super small screwdriver to clean up the contacts. I then put a little bit of diaeletric grease when reattaching to keep water outm
     
    Nessal, Dec 4, 2022
    #12
  13. Dec 4, 2022 at 4:21 PM
    #13
    shankyjones

    #13
    shankyjones [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Looks like the CRC connector cleaner is going to work just fine
     
    shankyjones, Dec 4, 2022
    #13
  14. Dec 4, 2022 at 10:38 PM
    #14
    CrippledOldMan

    #14
    CrippledOldMan Well-Known Member

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    put some dielectric grease on them when you finish cleaning the up.
     
    CrippledOldMan, Dec 4, 2022
    #14
    shankyjones[OP] and Mikeh80 like this.

Products Discussed in

Hosa D5S-6 CAIG DeoxIT 5% Spray Contact Cleaner, 5 oz.
$15.99
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