Trailer Plug Corrosion?

[Spong]

Last night I found that my trailer plug was corroded on the backside of the plug where the wiring harness attaches. Has anyone else seen this? Only 10,200 miles and 13 months of use on the TB. It's never been submerged or anything.

The Trailer plug removed from the bracket under the bumper

http://images24.fotki.com/v767/photos/4/41590/3295654/DSC05484-vi.jpg


Backside of the plug with corrosion in the bottom of the plug

http://images24.fotki.com/v768/photos/4/41590/3295654/DSC05485-vi.jpg

[TrailBlazzin]

i had mine off a few days ago and it was a little corroded but nothing like yours

[Spong]

i had mine off a few days ago and it was a little corroded but nothing like yours


On yours does the plug mount at about a 45 degree angle? Mine does and this corrosion is at the bottom where water would sit if it got in there.

I might put some clear silicone or something on the new one to try to seal it better. :undecided

I called the dealer and they are going to replace it when I'm up there tomorrow.

[TrailBlazzin]

yeah its mounted at an angle..

the plug on the back was full of all kinds of road debri caught me right in the eye

[pcoxe]

Try using some of that dielectric grease when you reassemble it. It should be available at any auto part store. Sometimes it's called bulb grease or spark guard. The big tubes are cheaper than the small tubes many times. I got a big tube at NAPA about ten years ago and still have more than half left. A little dab goes a long way. I haven't experienced any corrosion problems on connectors I've sealed this way.

[Spong]

Try using some of that dielectric grease when you reassemble it. It should be available at any auto part store. Sometimes it's called bulb grease or spark guard. The big tubes are cheaper than the small tubes many times. I got a big tube at NAPA about ten years ago and still have more than half left. A little dab goes a long way. I haven't experienced any corrosion problems on connectors I've sealed this way.


I would have to dab each pin because dielectric grease conducts so if I put a bunch in the bottom it would cause the pins to short together right?

[LineNoise]

I would have to dab each pin because dielectric grease conducts so if I put a bunch in the bottom it would cause the pins to short together right?

Ironically enough Dielectric grease is not a conductor. When I bought the adapter it came with some. I did all the contacts on the adapter and then I squirted the rest into the connector on the truck.

I have had this done for over a year. I tow about once a month.

[Stephen]

Dielectric is an insulator not a conductor.

[muddy tires]

I'm not surprised. I've gotten corrosion on the inside of the plug and on the trailer plug as well. I now coat all the plugs with dielectric grease. It seems to help, especially in the winter when the salt gets into everywhere.

[Spong]

Ironically enough Dielectric grease is not a conductor. When I bought the adapter it came with some. I did all the contacts on the adapter and then I squirted the rest into the connector on the truck.

I have had this done for over a year. I tow about once a month.

Dielectric is an insulator not a conductor.


Ok, I just wanted to verify. I was having a brain fart there.

So would it hurt if a got a big tube and filled the bottom of the plug enough to cover all the pins and then plug the harness plug back into it?

[LineNoise]

Ok, I just wanted to verify. I was having a brain fart there.

So would it hurt if a got a big tube and filled the bottom of the plug enough to cover all the pins and then plug the harness plug back into it?

Eh, I think that's excessive, if you tow. Do you tow? If you don't and never use the plug then yeah, That would keep moisture out for sure.

[Spong]

Eh, I think that's excessive, if you tow. Do you tow? If you don't and never use the plug then yeah, That would keep moisture out for sure.


I do tow and use the plug :yes: Would using that much hurt anything? I just want to make sure moisture isn't a problem in the future!!

I might also put some silicone around the top edge so it seals better with the plug.

[blktbon20s]

wow thats nasty
mine is on, on a angle but facing down. So water doesn't get in

[Spong]

wow thats nasty
mine is on, on a angle but facing down. So water doesn't get in


Just like mine! The water comes in the back, not the front!

[rbarrios]

interesting, ill take a peek at mine when I wash her.

[Spong]

Funny thing is, the side under the little flap door (where the trailer plugs in) looks all nice and clean! It's the backside where the corrosion is. So if you want to check, you have to get under there and unplug the harness from the back of the assembly.

[MTPockets]

Silicone/dielectric grease does hang around for a long time & will keep moisture off the terminals. Without being sealed off, that plug will attract road grime and still fill up with crap. Not much you can do aside from inspect the plug from time to time. The back of the truck collects all the junk.:sadcry: Spong, IMO, it's not a bad idea to fill the back of that plug with a silicone sealer. You could dig it out should you ever have to replace the plug.

Joel

[n0kfb]

I was ticked when I found out that my Envoy did not come with this plug from the factory. Does anyone have an aftermarket source where the replacement will not cost $60?

Thanks!

-- Dan Meyer

[Spong]

Silicone/dielectric grease does hang around for a long time & will keep moisture off the terminals. Without being sealed off, that plug will attract road grime and still fill up with crap. Not much you can do aside from inspect the plug from time to time. The back of the truck collects all the junk.:sadcry: Spong, IMO, it's not a bad idea to fill the back of that plug with a silicone sealer. You could dig it out should you ever have to replace the plug.

Joel

I'll probably put a bunch of dielectric grease in the bottom and then maybe a bead of silicone around the top.


I was ticked when I found out that my Envoy did not come with this plug from the factory. Does anyone have an aftermarket source where the replacement will not cost $60?

Thanks!

-- Dan Meyer

:undecided You might want to look again. I'm pretty sure it was standard on all of them. It should be located tucked under the bumper to the left of the reciever hitch.

[Spong]

Well the dealer gave me a new one today under warranty. I put a whole bunch of dielectric grease around the pins before plugging the harness in the back. I also put a bead of clear silicone around the edge that meets with the harness plug. I guess we'll see how long this one lasts.