Green corrosion.

[JohnnyG]

Seems like a there are a lot of sharp folks here. Can anyone tell me why my 4 prong plug coming from the tow vehicle has green corrosion in the holes? I cut it off to replace the plug and noticed the copper wires look black- that don't seem right! This is a 03 Honda Odessey with dealer installed hitch and wiring.

[eamarquardt]

Seems like a there are a lot of sharp folks here. Can anyone tell me why my 4 prong plug coming from the tow vehicle has green corrosion in the holes? I cut it off to replace the plug and noticed the copper wires look black- that don't seem right! This is a 03 Honda Odessey with dealer installed hitch and wiring.

On ocean going boats and to a lessor extent fresh water boats, it is common knowledge that copper wires, water, and electricity combine to form "green grunge" (black grunge is just a lessor form of the "disease"). Just like the fire triangle, if you remove one of the elements, the problem will go away. You can't get rid of the wire or electricity so you need to seal the wires up somehow so water is not getting to them. Easier said than done. If the problem is severe you might consider buying a sealed replacement connector and cable assembly from a trailer supply and splice the new wires to the vehicle's wiring somewhere where water won't be a problem.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Gus

[Kevin A]

You could also use a dielectric grease to seal the moisture from the contacts.

[deceiver]

Like eamar said.. it's copper rust just like copper flashing on old buildings turns green.

[dh]

You could also use a dielectric grease to seal the moisture from the contacts.

Yup, thats what I did. Also, if the dielectric gets a little dirty just spray some contact cleaner in there to clean it out, and after it dries (just a few seconds) reapply the dielectric.

[Dale M.]

You could also use a dielectric grease to seal the moisture from the contacts.

YEP... Dielectric grease.... (silicone "light bulb" grease).....

Liberal amounts, the purpose is to seal a connection to keep out water and air.....

I use it on all my wiring connectors (crimp) and apply it liberally into female side of trailer connector then insert male.... Also under ring connector where the screw down to sheet metal or chassis grounds... Wonderful stuff except it collect and holds dust...

Also when disconnecting trailer plug make sure it is hanging down so it does not collect and hold water....

Dale

[Arne]

I hang the van part out through the hatch.. got some corrosion in it.. used the grease mentioned and it still works ok, but I put the wire inside the van when not in use.. problem is the cover is not water proof, and when hangs down, it fills with water and the corrosion starts...

It is not usually a problem on the trailer, the it hangs down and it has no cover, so water does not collect, it runs off or evaporates..

[zipz71]

If they salt the roads every winter there as much as they do here it really adds to the problem. The best thing is to move the connector inside the vehicle as Arne suggested. If you can't then pack the connector full of grease. For the four wire connector if it has the plastic cap also fill it with grease and snap it in place. If it has no cap then grease it and seal it up best you can with electrical tape when not in use. I have seen a wet plug cause a remote car starter to not work because of current flow between the running light and brake/turn signal pins.

[bobhenry]

To clean the green grunge soak overnight in coca cola. The phosphoric acid in coke will neutralize the oxidation.

A baking soda past will work also.

If you can't tuck it in the vehicle and it just hangs there, when cleaned , bag it in a freezer bag after applying the dielectric grease and seal it tightly.