The work addresses a particular case of interaction between adhesive and abrasive wear in the electrical contact field, characterized by a selective adhesive transfer layer. The system studied is composed of a resistive element (NiCr thin layer) and a contactor (AgPd), forming an angular position sensor lubricated with a standard silicone oil/PTFE grease. The angular position/electrical resistance relationship is disturbed by wear of the NiCr surfaces, enhanced by the formation on the AgPd contactor of a third body enriched in Ni. From a practical point of view, it has been found that this detrimental Ni-selective transfer formation can be controlled by inserting tumble finishing with lamellar alumina powder as the last step of NiCr track manufacturing. Acting like a solid lubricant, alumina clusters of 1–5 µm in size adhere to NiCr surface giving rise to a delay or cancel of Ni adhesion on the contactor which lead to a significant improvement of electrical behavior of the position sensor. •We studied the wear mechanisms taking place in an electrical contact inside a sensor.•The resistance degradation of AgPd/NiCr contact is related to the wear process.•Selective transfer layer rich in nickel adhered on the AgPd surface is point out as the major factor limiting the electrical performances of the contact.•Tumble finishing treatment using Alumina particles was found to improve the electrical performances of the contact by stopping the growth of the transfer layer (3rd body).