Cleaning Wiring Harness

[ParadiseMJ]

I scored a full engine bay wiring harness, from ECU to TCU, all sensors, connectors, injectors, all in great shape for $25 at the yard.  The donor vehicle was wrecked and pretty much smashed from the front doors back so everything on it was in great shape...EXCEPT...everything on the donor  vehicle was very oily, greasy and dirty.

 

So before I get it all wrapped up, back in wiring loom and put it in to my truck I want to get it as clean as possible .  I FEEL like I should soak it overnight in some cleaning solution but don't really thing that's how wiring should be handled.  Other than the obvious, electronics cleaner, etc. does anyone have any sure fire method to get greasy wiring cleaned up??

 

 

[cruiser54]

Spray Brake-Kleen on a rag and wipe it down?

[ParadiseMJ]

Spray Brake-Kleen on a rag and wipe it down?

 

That was the route I was going, but I read on the can that it shouldn't be used on electrical parts.  Which was news to me...as I've used it on pretty much everything for years.

 

Thanks though, that's what I'll do.

[Oyaji]

Trichloroetylene used to be available once upon a time - I used to use it... dunno if you can still get it. It was used as an industrial degreaser for electrical and other parts for the aviation rework facilities of the US Navy and their suppliers around here, before they out-sourced it to God-knows-where:

 

Trichloroethylene

 

 

The chemical compound trichloroethylene (C2HCl3) is a chlorinated hydrocarbon commonly used as an industrial solvent. It is a clear non-flammable liquid with a sweet smell. It should not be confused with the similar 1,1,1-trichloroethane, which is commonly known as chlorothene.

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The IUPAC name is trichloroethene. Industrial abbreviations include TCE, trichlor, Trike, Tricky and tri. It has been sold under a variety of trade names. Under the trade names Trimar and Trilene, trichloroethylene was used as a volatile anesthetic and as an inhaled obstetrical analgesic in millions of patients.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trichloroethylene

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[ParadiseMJ]

So, then just soap & water?

 

  :smart:  +   :(  = :dunce:

[jimoshel]

I always use liquid dish washing detergent. Works great.

[kolton]

X2^

[Alexia]

I tape up the connectors, spray the green variety of cleaner on the wire loom, let it soak, and power wash it.

[Oyaji]

I  think the reason they say not to use any of the VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) on electrical parts is simply because in our litigious society (wherein lawyers can bleed you white if liability can be proven) any screw-up, no matter how ridiculous or whose fault it might be, is too much for any manufacturer to risk. VOCs are highly flammable, so on electrical components there is a chance of starting a fire... but only if there is any left on your parts! Those compounds evaporate very quickly,  plus you can tell by the smell if there is any remaining. Most of it will be gone in 5 minutes  or less; if you leave it out in the sun  it  should all be gone in an hour.

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With regard to wiring, vinyl/PCV insulation might lose some plasticiser to solvents, which would make the wires less flexible... but they sure will be clean!   

[onlyinajeep726]

I use brake cleaner or carb cleaner on my oily stuff.  Super Clean, engine degreaser, Dawn dish soap and GoJo all work great too.  Any combination of these will give phenomenal results.

[ParadiseMJ]

I re-read the brake cleaner can.  The warning that HAD been on there when I noticed it a year or so ago...was either changed or removed.  The new cautionary wording is that it "may cause damage to plastics" and "do not spray on "energized electrical components" (duh).

 

I'm using Dawn on the wire part, QD electric cleaner inside the connectors.  I can't believe how stinkin' greasy this stuff is.  Obviously 25 years of grime, which I hope doesn't affect the performance of the wiring itself.  I also find it incredible that they pasted the sensor grounds together with "chewing gum" and duct tape.  If anyone has NOT done Cruiser's sensor ground upgrade...do it.  I'd bet just that could cure a lot of electrical gremlins I experience and read about.

[cruiser54]

I re-read the brake cleaner can.  The warning that HAD been on there when I noticed it a year or so ago...was either changed or removed.  The new cautionary wording is that it "may cause damage to plastics" and "do not spray on "energized electrical components" (duh).

 

I'm using Dawn on the wire part, QD electric cleaner inside the connectors.  I can't believe how stinkin' greasy this stuff is.  Obviously 25 years of grime, which I hope doesn't affect the performance of the wiring itself.  I also find it incredible that they pasted the sensor grounds together with "chewing gum" and duct tape.  If anyone has NOT done Cruiser's sensor ground upgrade...do it.  I'd bet just that could cure a lot of electrical gremlins I experience and read about.

That's eXACTLY why to do the sensor ground upgrade!!!!