21 PB Ground Fault

[JI21Powerboost]

Hi all,

have a 21 PB 35000km on it that throws the message below when driving on wet roads but usually when temps are cold. Something must clearly be getting wet, but any thoughts?

tks

Sponsored

 

[imnuts]

Likely the panel in the bed as it can be in the path of spray from the rear tire. It could be an o-ring that got out of place when the connectors were put together or something else.

 

[Bunker]

When my truck was very new, like 500 miles, I had that error after washing just the rims and tires. Never could recreate it.

 

[na8rboy]

The connection under truck behind rear wheel. Pull apart clean and add dielectric grease.

 

[Gros Ventre]

Remember dielectric grease is not conductive, so be careful where you put it (ie just on the seal). I opened up my bed power panel to look at the wiring. I found a large square "O-ring." I has a break of about 1-2" in it at the very bottom. It was very difficult to reinstall. I ended up using some grease to make it tacky and stay in place while refitting the panel. Should water get into that panel, a ground would surely follow.

 

[PB2021]

Anyone taken a photo of the harness you are discussing? Thanks

 

[JoeRedFly]

Put dielectric grease in all of the connectors on the panel. Not just the seals, fill the connectors.

 

[Gros Ventre]

If you put dielectric grease "everywhere" you risk preventing the conductors from "conducting." Put it where its needed, only.

 

[JoeRedFly]

/QUOTE="Gros Ventre
If you put dielectric grease "everywhere" you risk preventing the conductors from "conducting." Put it where its needed, only.
/QUOTE


Seriously? Never worked around electricity, owned a boat, or worked on a car? Air is an insulator too, how do you keep that out of the connector? Metal on metal connectors have no issue with insulating grease or oil, it's standard practice.

Yes, you can fill connectors with grease, or oil and dielectric grease is the best. Every connector on both of my sonar/gps systems is packed full of the stuff. Every time I've change spark plugs I pack the boots with dielectric grease to prevent water intrusion, hell they sell the stuff in little packs labeled 'tune up grease' at the autopart stores. Do a little research before you spread misinformation, the stuff is great for keeping water out.

 

[Gros Ventre]

Seriously? Never worked around electricity, owned a boat, or worked on a car? Air is an insulator too, how do you keep that out of the connector? Metal on metal connectors have no issue with insulating grease or oil, it's standard practice.

Yes, you can fill connectors with grease, or oil and dielectric grease is the best. Every connector on both of my sonar/gps systems is packed full of the stuff. Every time I've change spark plugs I pack the boots with dielectric grease to prevent water intrusion, hell they sell the stuff in little packs labeled 'tune up grease' at the autopart stores. Do a little research before you spread misinformation, the stuff is great for keeping water out.

Seriously yourself. The description of air is baloney. Two metal components can be separated by a thin film of dielectric grease... and then won't conduct, while the air is excluded by the metal to metal contact of conductors. Do you know what "tune up grease" is actually used for? It is used to ensure that spark plug wires are properly insulated and the high tension current does not leak out from the distributor cap or the boot on the spark plug. This because it is very good insulator... Did you ever do a real tuneup? On a kettering type ignition system?? You should do some homework...

 

[JoeRedFly]

LOL. Well, at least you understood the grease goes in the spark plug wire boot, even if not why.

/QUOTE="Gros Ventre
Seriously yourself. The description of air is baloney. Two metal components can be separated by a thin film of dielectric grease... and then won't conduct, while the air is excluded by the metal to metal contact of conductors. Do you know what "tune up grease" is actually used for? It is used to ensure that spark plug wires are properly insulated and the high tension current does not leak out from the distributor cap or the boot on the spark plug. This because it is very good insulator... Did you ever do a real tuneup? On a kettering type ignition system?? You should do some homework...
/QUOTE

 

[Gros Ventre]

Sorry my friend... You just do not know what you're talking about... Maybe you might reflect on why the word dielectric is included if the purpose is only to exclude water... in that case any grease would do.

 

[JoeRedFly]

@Gros Ventre

Most any non-conductive grease would work for low voltage connectors in a pinch, but why not use the grease made for it making less of a mess.
For higher voltage connectors like spark plugs always use dielectric grease to prevent moisture and other contamination from intruding and subsequent arcing.

You are correct in that dielectric grease is an insulator, it won't conduct current across a multipin conductor shorting it out. But, it won't prevent pins from seating properly. Google a bit, this is literally one of the main uses for it.

Odd that you admit dielectric grease is good for connectors like spark plug boots but will prevent electrical contact in others.

In marine environments we use it extensively in connectors to prevent salt from accelerating corrosion of the contacts. If you were correct, most boats would be stuck at the dock.

 

[JoeRedFly]

/QUOTE="Gros Ventre
Sorry my friend... You just do not know what you're talking about... Maybe you might reflect on why the word dielectric is included if the purpose is only to exclude water... in that case any grease would do.
/QUOTE

Here you go, "googled" from the manufacturer of the product itself that you question:


Dynatex Dielectric Grease is a silicon dioxide thickened, very high molecular weight dimethyl polysiloxane-based material. It is an extremely stiff, tacky, tenacious compound with excellent water repellency even to seawater. It has outstanding high-temperature and vacuum capabilities as well.

• Dynatex 159377 Dielectric Grease, 1 oz. Tube
• Category: Dieelectric Grease
• Manufacturer: Dynatex
• Prevents fusing of spark wires to spark plugs
• Keeps battery terminals corrosion-free
• Displaces moisture in ignition and electrical systems
• Prevents voltage leakage
• Use on distributor cap nipples, battery terminals, ignition coil connectors bulb sockets, trailer electrical connectors, and spark plug boots
• Operating Temperature: 40°F (-40°C) to 400°F (204°C)

 

[Gros Ventre]

Here you go, "googled" from the manufacturer of the product itself that you question:


Dynatex Dielectric Grease is a silicon dioxide thickened, very high molecular weight dimethyl polysiloxane-based material. It is an extremely stiff, tacky, tenacious compound with excellent water repellency even to seawater. It has outstanding high-temperature and vacuum capabilities as well.

• Dynatex 159377 Dielectric Grease, 1 oz. Tube
• Category: Dieelectric Grease
• Manufacturer: Dynatex
• Prevents fusing of spark wires to spark plugs
• Keeps battery terminals corrosion-free
• Displaces moisture in ignition and electrical systems
• Prevents voltage leakage
• Use on distributor cap nipples, battery terminals, ignition coil connectors bulb sockets, trailer electrical connectors, and spark plug boots
• Operating Temperature: 40°F (-40°C) to 400°F (204°C)

The issue is not whether it excludes water... it does, that's why it should be used on seals. The issue is packing it in places that could interrupt conductivity because it is an insulator. You are misleading people with bum info. Get off it.

Sponsored