Okay, here's my tools I use: :thumbsup:
What I did is make my own terminal contact "burnishers". I went and bought two miniature screwdrivers. They were 3/32" straight edge. I took my Dremel and ground down the last 1/4" or so to enable me to treat the end just like a wire.
I then crimped on (1) Female and (1) Male Packard 56 series connectors on each. Since these weren't simply pieces of wire, I needed to make them stronger, I then soldered them to each of the screwdrivers. Now, not only are they rugged, but they electrically conduct!
To give you a better idea on how the 56 series terminals "mate", I hooked the two together. The female has side guides and a spring flap with a small button. The male has small hole that interlocks on the button to make a locking connection.
The first step is to spray the connector in question a good electronic cleaner. This stuff is available virtually everywhere.
Then spray the cleaning tool's connector itself, that way it is coated in the solvent.
The next part is to simply plug and unplug the connector tool repeatedly into the terminal in question so you end up working out all of the crud and burnishing the plated metal. The spray cleaner evaporates and leaves no residue. That's what we want. A clean connection.
(The male tool is being used here on this parking lamp connector terminal)
(The female tool is being used here on this bulkhead connector terminal--it will be turned around to ensure both sides of the factory male connector are completely clean).
Final thoughts;
To thoroughly clean and inspect terminals, they should be removed from the plastic housings (I don't recommend doing that on bulkhead connectors unless you really have a questionable connection). Avoid using harsh abrasives and Dremel attachments. If you "sand down" the terminal, not only are you removing the corrosion, but also the plating revealing the base metal(s). Once you remove the brass/tin plating, the unprotected base layer will quickly oxidize and corrode.
If you really have dirty connectors and terminals, don't waste the good spray cleaner. Get a cheapo toothbrush and some isopropyl rubbing alcohol (91%) to scrub away the excess first).
Careful inspection is a key element. It doesn't matter how clean the connector's surfaces are if the crimp (where the copper has been attached to the terminal piece) has turned blue or green with corrosion. If corrosion was "wicked" into the crimp area, a new terminal needs to be installed on clean copper. Red arrow show the area in question:
Oh, remember at the start when I mentioned the "tools" also conduct thanks to the soldering? They also make excellent probe attachments. Ever try to cram a square peg in a round hole? It's kinda like that with meter probes and factory harness connections. Now I can simply "plug" in my probe and use it when testing/measuring.
:beers:
