qbymarty

The doors on my 08 convertible were getting harder to open. I removed the touchpads from the doors and sprayed them with a little electric contact cleaner and wiped them off. I then put a very light coating of dielectric grease on both the tabs and the printed circuit board for each door and put everything back together. The doors open better, but I’m still not satisfied. What’s the best thing to use to clean the contacts.
Thanks

ClothSeats

I used steel wool and emery paper. As I recall, the emery paper worked better. The doors have been working perfectly for a year now.

madsonp

Pencil eraser.

HBsurfer

I used 400 grit sand paper and have heard a pencil eraser works weel too

ProCycle

You don't really want to put dielectric grease on electrical contacts. It's non-conductive so sort of defeats the purpose of trying to get a better connection.

1bdvet

There cheap enough to replace them, and I hear there not being made any longer.

Try E-Bay.

dpigguy

This ^^^^^^ and ppencil eraser and no grease

jimmymack

GMGENUINEPARTS.COM HAS THEM. Just ordered and replaced both on my 2008. IIRC, somewhere in the neighborhood for $22 each. GM part # 22751230

qbymarty

What can I use to remove the dielectric grease?
Thanks

Diamonddave60

Carb cleaner will work

gpruitt54

I have a 08 with similar issues with the door opener pads about 2 years ago. I followed the recommendations for cleaning the contacts and had good results. It wasn't long before the issues returned. This happened twice. Turns out that the openers are so cheap to buy new, I was able to replace both pads with new ones for less than $40 bucks.

InfiniteLoop

Same here. Did the DIY fix, was quite happy it all worked...and then a few weeks later, the problem returned. Bought new ones and problem solved.

Turbo6TA

Here is a link to a new door latch release switch (touchpad)

Left and right are interchangeable

$23.95 with free shipping

https://www.ebay.com/itm/363259541349

ProCycle

Rubbing alcohol, Brake cleaner, Contact cleaner, acetone, mineral spirits.

JackDidley

I cleaned the driver side one 4 months ago. Still fine. I did buy an extra just in case. Its on the shelf. Cleaning works fine though.

FatsWaller

I’m not buying the dielectric grease argument. You could argue it out with these guys, who are in the business to know: https://www.nyelubricants.com/myth-g...h-conductivity
In part, their article states

"The results of these tests prove that there is no difference in contact resistance between lubricated and unlubricated connectors. Grease fills in the microscopic valleys of the contact surface and is squeezed out of the asperities, allowing the current to flow and preventing oxidation from occurring. While there is no difference in conductivity, the water resistance test proves that dielectric grease offers protection that unlubricated connectors cannot. In conductive environments, such as water, unlubricated connectors experience current leakage which can result in short circuits. Dielectric grease insulates connectors to prevent current leakage from occurring."

I used this stuff on the underseat connectors when I fixed the air bag light problem, on all the LED lamp replacements, and on the big connectors on the BCM. No problems whatever with connectivity.

ProCycle

It's fine for wire terminals where there is a tight metal to metal connection as the terminals slide together. Not good for contacts that are normally open and only see light pressure when making contact. In addition, the grease will attract dust which will create one more barrier to making a good clean connection.

Rusler John

I used contact cleaner and a scotch bride pad. Did it two years ago and it's still fine. Just like new.

spawrtan

Had the same problem last year with my 05. Used very fine steel wool to lightly polish the contacts, reinstalled and have worked perfectly since. As a backup measure, I bought a set of replacement pads, but they are sitting in my toolbox in case they are needed. So far, so good! Good luck! It is a quick and easy maintenance item.

Dutch08

The comment just above gets my vote. I did exactly the same thing about 3 years ago. I put Dielectric grease on the gasket seal only, BTW.