I did some mudding today...and noticed something a few minutes ago during the de-mudding process.


While playing around, the truck went into a dip and I heard a huge bang. Assumed it was the hitch hitting the ground and thought nothing of it.

I found my 4-pin hanging loose from the bumper packed full of mud. The 7-pin was packed full of red clay. And to top it all off, the 1/8" metal mounting bracket is bent and a weld is popped.


I cleaned out the mud/clay from both connectors as best as possible, but they both have some water in there that I cannot get out.



Is this going to be a problem? Lights and everything still work, so no short has appeared yet. I'm just wondering about corrosion and/or any other little gremlin that might appear. Pretty sure it's okay, but I try to avoid electrical stuff, so am pretty clueless about it.

 

You may want to use compressed air to dry out the connections. Then give them a coating of WD-40. After the WD is dry some dielectric grease will prevent corrosion.

 

Ditto, just make sure you didnt rip any insulation off the wires going into the connectors or rip any wires out (even a little) if they move around over time they could short.

 

a shop vac should get the remaining water out. now would be a good time to relocate the harnesses to a safer location. i liked when they had them above the bumper step, built into the bumper itself. not too much could get at it there.

 

And if you need to, spray up the contacts on both sides with contact cleaner and plug in and out a few times, then shop vac. I second the relocate idea. Happy wiring!

 

Grainger sells an electrical spray that displaces water and cleans/protects at the same time without damaging plastic components , and is non-conductive.