Weird substance in Diagnostic Box (1 Viewer)

[CruiseIn'Red88]

My CEL (check engine light) started coming on during highway driving, goes away after I turn the engine off, then may or may not come on again after a while. I also think that starting the engine gets a bit harder after it gets warm . . .

So I’ll be pulling the code(s) tomorrow (I understand I can use a paper clip to short the pins, right?) . . .

But, when I looked at the Diagnostic Box (opened its lid) I saw some substance over some of the pins?!? I don’t think this is supposed to be there. It looks like a beige toothpaste or putty or something.

How did this get there? What could it be? Could THIS be causing my CEL to light up? (Well, I should have the code(s) tomorrow in any case.)

Any ideas, anyone?

TIA

 

[KLF]

It's dielectric grease, they put it on at the factory to keep the connector from corroding. Normal, I've never seen one without that goop.

 

[Wile E Coyote]

Yeah, no worries. It's supposed to be there, so don't go messin with it, ya hear!

 

[CruiseIn'Red88]

So not so weird after all

Thanks much... One less out of the way... wait, now I'm thinking it wasn't covering all the pins, should I get more of that stuff and spread it real nice on'em?