I've watched several videos where people crack open their AFM (you know, cut the silicon bead and pry back the plastic cap), and "clean" the contacts or those arc-shaped "rails" that the contacts, well, contact. They claim that it works. But, I'm not sold.

It occurred to me that, over time, like after 300,000 miles or so, those "rails" get worn down by the pin part of the contacts. You get a groove in there, and who knows, maybe the pin sometimes loses contact in some places... eventually. Makes sense.

So, I cracked mine open because I was having some of the symptoms of it not being in tip-top shape. I was going to clean the rails. But, the rails looked super clean. And the inside of that thing looked amazing. It was like NASA in there. Not much to clean, I thought.

Seemed like a better solution was to slightly loosen the screws holding down that entire electronic card, and just like, nudge the entire thing over like half a millimeter or so. You know, so the contacts have a place to start fresh. Then tighten down the screws again.

It has apparently worked wonders for me. Several hundred miles on the modification, and no issues.

Cheers.

1988 4Runner "Whitney Houston"