Opinions on the use of di-electric grease for impact sensor grounds - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

jrd1990zr1 · 06-16-2011

Three years or so ago when I first got my Z it had front impact sensor ground fault in the SIR system. I fixed it not using di-electric grease by cleaning it up and using a star washer.

On the way to have it state inspected today the INFL REST and seat beat came on. Got a Code 26 again, bad ground under the AC box.
Before I pull it apart and clean it up, should I use di-electric grease on the connection??? Or not???

Thanks,

GOLDCYLON · 06-16-2011

It wont hurt use it. IMHO

Paul Workman · 06-16-2011

Used it all the time on equipment ground lugs, etc on board (Navy) ships where exposure to salt water was a killer if the connections weren't coated (or painted, in some cases).

I use it w/o problems. I think it would also be worth considering for battery connections, unless you have some of the spray- on inhibitor for that.

The stuff is pretty much inert, I believe, i.e., silicon based it doesn't react very easily with (electrical) materials, as a rule.

I agree with the G'Cylon...couldn't hoit!

FWIW...Your mileage may vary!

P.

tomtom72 · 06-17-2011

I used it as per Gordon's instructions and still got the code eventually.....maybe I didn't use enough of it or not enough sanding of the chassis paint? Anyway, I used it again when I redid the repair/re-cleaning.

I vote that it can't hurt. I was thinking that maybe after the cleaning and the sanding & reassembly the hold down tab & bolt head should be sprayed with chassis black to seal it from the moisture? Or the use of T- 9 Boe-shield or it's equivalent could be used in place of the paint. I may try that if it happens again. MM used to do this on all the exposed electrical connections on the power train back in the 70's & 80's at any point where the connection was exposed via an 'eye'.

Tom

flyin ryan · 06-18-2011

X2 for using it....

jrd1990zr1 · 06-18-2011

Thanks Guys!

I'll use it.

John

Marc Haibeck · 06-19-2011

If you did a good job sealing the sensor, it's probably not the problem. You can measure the resistance from the stainless steel plate that holds the sensor to ground. If the resistance is less than .3 ohm it's good.

There are two connectors that are in the circuit to the sensor. They are in series and need to have low resistance just like the sensor.

There is a round yellow connector from the sensor at the rear edge of the right hush panel. It should be opened. The gold connector pins should be wiped clean and washed with electrical contact cleaner. Insert the connector twice to wipe the contacts.

There is the connector to the DERM. It's under the front edge of the hush panel. It's colored yellow too. Give it the same cleaning treatment.

The error code needs to be cleared via the procedure in the service manual.

06-16-2011	#1
jrd1990zr1 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Delanson, NY Posts: 916	Opinions on the use of di-electric grease for impact sensor grounds Three years or so ago when I first got my Z it had front impact sensor ground fault in the SIR system. I fixed it not using di-electric grease by cleaning it up and using a star washer. On the way to have it state inspected today the INFL REST and seat beat came on. Got a Code 26 again, bad ground under the AC box. Before I pull it apart and clean it up, should I use di-electric grease on the connection??? Or not??? Thanks, __________________ 1968 convertible Lemans Blue, 1986 coupe Medium Blue NCRS Top Flight (sold), 1990 ZR1 #2529 Red NCRS Regional and National Top Flight (sold), 1990 ZR1 #2124 Charcoal Metallic NCRS Top Flight 2010 & 2018, 2003 Anniversary Red Convertible (sold)

06-16-2011	#2
GOLDCYLON Join Date: May 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 9,155	Re: Opinions on the use of di-electric grease for impact sensor grounds It wont hurt use it. IMHO __________________ GOLDCYLON - 91 ZR-1 #2014 GOLDCYLON - 90 ZR-1 #2794, 4L60e (Formerly Schrade's) GOLDCYLON - 11 CTS-V Arizona State Director 91 WHITE/BLACK #2014. 380 P&P&PCed,Ported Heads, Jeal Long tubes, Corsa Exhaust/FIKSE FM-5s /LED TLs, LED Headlights, Front Wilwood 6 piston narrowlite calipers and rear Wilwood caliper street shop mod,CNCed Coolant Pipes,TPI Cvr,Filter cover,Stainless Bolts, DRM/DOM PROM /ZFDOC mod build #102,DRLs,BMAD with stainless Debris Screen,Coplan Air Blaster, Pioneer APP Radio 4,Brey-Krause HB,Sub Bar,Fire extinguisher seat mount,DRM Coilovers,LEDs everywhere,Compass mirror (orange),V1 DIC hidden display, Homelink sun visor, Carbon Fiber top x3 and APSIS Carbon Fiber interior, APSIS CF Steering Wheel/NAPA Leather, Banski trailing arms, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension) ZFDoc drive shaft safety loop, raptor shift light (orange),AO engineering louver front plate, Console seat cushion, 96CE seats with black custom Sheepskins, ss billet catch can,Viper remote entry/alarm,Cragar Rear Louvers,LED side louver lights, Dewitts Radiator with SPAL fans and a Woods 160 T-Stat 90 RED/BLACK #2794. 4L60e Automatic Stage V by RPM Transmission, TCI Dedicated TCM, OBX Stainless Headers, Corsa Exhaust, SAN Secondaries and Haibeck PROM, Exotic Muscle Coil overs, LED Interior Lights, LED Tail Lights, LED Headlights, 94 Sport seats with black custom Sheepskins , Cragar rear louvers, GS Front calipers, Banski Trailing arms, APSIS Carbon Fiber steering wheel, Front and Rear Baer Eradispeeds, DRLs, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension), Dewitt's Raditor with Dual SPAL fans and a Haibeck 170 T-Stat 11 RED/GREY CTS-V

06-16-2011	#3
Paul Workman Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Squires (near Ava MO in the Mark Twain N'tl Forest) - Missouri Posts: 6,493	Re: Opinions on the use of di-electric grease for impact sensor grounds Used it all the time on equipment ground lugs, etc on board (Navy) ships where exposure to salt water was a killer if the connections weren't coated (or painted, in some cases). I use it w/o problems. I think it would also be worth considering for battery connections, unless you have some of the spray- on inhibitor for that. The stuff is pretty much inert, I believe, i.e., silicon based it doesn't react very easily with (electrical) materials, as a rule. I agree with the G'Cylon...couldn't hoit! FWIW...Your mileage may vary! P. __________________ Good carz, good food, good friendz = the best of timez! 90 #1202 "FBI" top end ported & relieved Cam timing by "Pete the Greek" Sans secondaries Chip & dyno tuning by Haibeck Automotive SW headers, X-pipe, MF muffs Former Secretary, ZR-1 Net Registry Last edited by Paul Workman; 06-18-2011 at 07:28 AM.

06-17-2011	#4
tomtom72 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Jacksonville, FL USA Posts: 4,645	Re: Opinions on the use of di-electric grease for impact sensor grounds I used it as per Gordon's instructions and still got the code eventually.....maybe I didn't use enough of it or not enough sanding of the chassis paint? Anyway, I used it again when I redid the repair/re-cleaning. I vote that it can't hurt. I was thinking that maybe after the cleaning and the sanding & reassembly the hold down tab & bolt head should be sprayed with chassis black to seal it from the moisture? Or the use of T- 9 Boe-shield or it's equivalent could be used in place of the paint. I may try that if it happens again. MM used to do this on all the exposed electrical connections on the power train back in the 70's & 80's at any point where the connection was exposed via an 'eye'. Tom __________________ 1990 ZR-1, Black/grey, #2233, stock. ZR-1 Net Reg Founding Member #316 & NCM member

06-18-2011	#5
flyin ryan Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Edmonton, Alberta or Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 2,741	X2..... X2 for using it.... __________________ There are no limit's mans ingenuity, just as mans ingenuity will never conquer the forces & behavior of this planet...Smokey Y.

06-19-2011	#7
Marc Haibeck Join Date: May 2007 Location: Addison IL Posts: 250	Re: Opinions on the use of di-electric grease for impact sensor grounds If you did a good job sealing the sensor, it's probably not the problem. You can measure the resistance from the stainless steel plate that holds the sensor to ground. If the resistance is less than .3 ohm it's good. There are two connectors that are in the circuit to the sensor. They are in series and need to have low resistance just like the sensor. There is a round yellow connector from the sensor at the rear edge of the right hush panel. It should be opened. The gold connector pins should be wiped clean and washed with electrical contact cleaner. Insert the connector twice to wipe the contacts. There is the connector to the DERM. It's under the front edge of the hush panel. It's colored yellow too. Give it the same cleaning treatment. The error code needs to be cleared via the procedure in the service manual.