Many times the reason that electrical components on your Alfa tend to become flaky, or non-working, is poor connections and grounds (at least the Prince of Darkness, Lucas, is not involved!). It doesn't take a too-loose fitting connection, or a bit of corrosion long to block the transfer of much needed electrons down the wire. Loose fitting connections only require the use of a wrench to tighten that nut, or pliers to crimp that slide-on connector a little tighter. Corroded connections, on the other hand, take a bit more work.

Loose fitting connections can occur anywhere on the car but I've found that corrosion will most likely occur outside of the passenger compartment where they are exposed to the elements. Although, the Spider's Bosch FI fuel pump fuse (located under the rear deck), it is notorious for corroding to the point where the fuel pump no longer works.

For those connectors that you can easily separate into individual units, such as ones attached to a single post, use emery cloth, or a file on really bad cases, to remove the corrosion. Polish/file until the connectors are bright and shiny. It is also a good idea to remove all corrosion from around the connection post. Next, put on a coating of a dielectric grease that will prevent further corrosion so that you won't have to return at a later date and repeat all your work.

For those slip-on connectors, cleaning them out is quite a different matter. Usually, you can't get emery cloth or a file in there where it will do any good. I've been using an electronic cleaner spray from CRC, QD (Quick Drying) Electronic Cleaner. I pull the connectors apart, spray both connectors, and let it dry. I did this to every connector on the back of my fuse box and the lights seem brighter and my voltmeter reads a bit higher. You can apply the dielectric grease to the connectors for added protection.

International Auto Parts sells a 'NYK Corrosion Preventive Compound' which I have been using with great success. I cleaned up the connectors on the 'main block terminal' under the hood of my '86 Spider last year, put on the NYK Compound and they still look good. I use the stuff on all my electrical connections now.

I've also heard of other products from CRAIG Labs in San Diego (619-451-1799) (Editors note: CAIG labs, Poway, CA, www.caig.com, 1-800-CAIG-123, caig123@aol.com) one called PreservIT for new connectors, and DeoxIT, a "one step" cleaner/preservative for old ones. I've heard that these products have bits of copper in them to enhance conductivity. If so, you might have to watch out when using them on multi-wire connectors so that aren't any shorts. I've never tried them but the word on the italian-car mailing list is that they work well.