And with motion, the possibility of intermittency always exists. When terminals are mated together, there's a contact point or points where the two terminals touch. As these rub together through thousands and thousands of thermal cycles, the point of contact becomes worn, dirty, oxidized or contaminated. The result is either an intermittent or resistive connection between the two joined wires. Intermittent connections wreak havoc with digital signals.
Resistive connections are a particular problem when the sensor is of the analog type.
That'll result in a lean fuel-air mix and a nasty surge. This exaggerated illustration shows how Stabilant 22 broadens a terminal's point of contact. If the mechanical connection becomes intermittent, the signal isn't lost because it simply diverts through the Stabilant. If the terminal halves regain contact, the signal once again takes its direct path through the contact point, and the slightly more restive Stabilant returns to having no electrical effect. As these materials age and wear, they're likely to become more abrasive, brittle, resistive and susceptible to breakage.