Cleaning the 10 Pin connectors on a Mustang

So what's the deal with the 10 Pin Connectors aka "Salt and Pepper Shakers"? Well they are 2 square electrical connectors attached just behind the upper intake manifold. (Click on any picture to view full size)

Most of the critical engine functions run through these connectors, hence the reason to ensure these connectors are clean and all the contacts are making good connections. In fact, the first step in trouble shooting an electrical engine gremlin should be to make sure these connectors are in good shape. Just to show you how important, here are some of the circuits running thought the "10 Pins"

• The fuel injectors
• Intake air temp
• Coolant temp
• Barometric pressure sensor
• EGR Position sensor

I think you get the idea. If you an intermittent break in any of these circuits, it could cause all kinds of EEC related issues, anything from the dreaded rolling idle, intermittent missing, injectors not pulsing, ER valve not functioning correctly, you get the idea.

What we can do to correct this is to clean and degrease the terminals, and use a small screwdriver or pick to tighten up the terminals. So our list of tools for this job is pretty small:

• Electrical parts cleaner
• Dielectric grease
• Q-tips (to apply new dielectric grease)
• small screwdriver and/or small pick

First step is to carefully separate the connectors. Ford connectors have a very difficult retaining clip to hold the two mating halves together. Chances are these clips have been broken off already, if not try not to break them. A tip to separating the connectors is to carefully stick a small screw drive under the clips and wiggle the two halves apart.  Once they are apart you can inspect the terminals, and as you can see from this picture, they can get dirty.

What you do first is spray both sets of terminals with the cleaner to break down any remaining grease and crud, then use a Q-tip to physically clean the terminals. Once you are done  swabbing the termails give  then a second quick blast with the cleaner to finish them up.

This is what we are looking for, Clean, dry terminals.

Don't forget to clean the seals.

Once they are cleaned you can get to fixing the terminals. For the male terminals you want to use a small screwdriver or pick to spread the tip slightly. Doing this will force the terminal into a tighter fit with the female terminal. You are going to also slightly pinch close the female terminals with the screwdriver. HINT, both the male and female terminals are rolled from a piece of metal, if you find the seam that is a good place for you to wedge the screwdrivers or pick. Once you have 'fixed' the terminals use a Q-tip to apply a liberal coating of dielectric grease to keep the terminals corrosion free.

All greased and ready to go!

Once both 10-Pin connecrors are cleaned, 'fixed', and regreased, go ahead and reassemble them. While this may or may not cure your engine issuse, it is something you can cross off the list as a possibility.

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