Stop corrosion on copper or brass contacts??

[redgrandam]

Anyone have any tips? I have an uplander van and the contacts (copper) that control the power locks (only make contact when the door is closed) corrode and prevent the lock from working. I've cleaned them with steel wool, and that completely fixed it, untill it corrodes again (and oxidizes). Is there anything I can put on the contacts to prevent or slow it down? Dielectric grease? Corrosion free spray? Something else that won't damage the electronics?

[downloader]

Dielectric grease

[woof]

Dielectric grease

+1
Many many years ago when I was doing some work on my Camry I noticed that where the electrical connectors plug into the headlight assembly they had packed it with dielectric grease to prevent corrosion. I was impressed since that was the first time I had ever seen that done in a car.

[redgrandam]

Thanks! I'll use that. I've used it on bulbs and connectors before just not on exposed contacts like this before.

[l69norm]

The contacts inside the plungers themselves are likely dirty/wearing. What happens is when you think you are cleaning the brass buttons on the end of the plunger, you are actually pushing the plungers in/out and temporaily cleaning the internal conatcts inside of the plunger.

To test for this, temporarily insert 4 toothpicks between the door contact assembly and the door frame. as shown below:

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/l69norm/uplander.jpg

This moves the plungers to a slightly different spot. If the contacts now work, you'll have to pull the plunger assembly from the door frame and use contact cleaner on the inside of the plungers.

[redgrandam]

Thanks for the info. Workin fine right now. The contact plate (and tips of the plunger) were corroded when I got the van in the fall. A quick cleaning with steel wool worked perfect. Been fine since, but just trying to be proactive. As the only way I noticed was when I returned to the van and opened the sliding door when I forgot to UNlock, therefore realizing the sliding doors were never locking (who knows for how long). So I just want to prevent a reoccurrence.

However the inside of the plungers maybe could use a cleaning too. So I might take a look in there anyways and grease em up while I'm at it!

[Ballroomblitz]

I have the same problem on a 2007 Montana, will give both suggestions a try and if it doesn't work out I'll just replace the contacts themselves. The contacts are pricey however, so cross my fingers this might help. I do have 250,000Km on the odometer, so it's been a pretty good vehicle overall having just made a long trip to Boston and back! Thanks for the suggestion guys.