Stuck hazard button

rhino65

250+ Posts
Aug 14, 2016
263
49
Atwood, IL
Name
Brian
Well, just got my 02 GW with CSC conversion home and started playing with all the buttons. The hazard work good...they won't shut off without switching key off. Pushed button numerous times but just keep blinking. Does left black panel pop off easily? Hope its an easy fix. Won't use them again. Lol
 
Well, just got my 02 GW with CSC conversion home and started playing with all the buttons. The hazard work good...they won't shut off without switching key off. Pushed button numerous times but just keep blinking. Does left black panel pop off easily? Hope its an easy fix. Won't use them again. Lol

Thats a pretty common problem Brien. Did you pick up a service manual yet? Those switches can be dismantled, cleaned, lubed, and put back in but it is a bit of work. Take the trim piece off the left side edge (make sure to start from the bottom).

Next remove the screw holding the switch cluster in. A small screwdriver or pick will pop the cluster loose. If you are lucky the connectors between the cluster and bike are accessible but I'd bet you will also need to remove the left pocket to disconnect things.

When you get the cluster out and get the warning switch removed be very careful dismantling it. There is a spring in there that will end up in the far reaches of your shop. You'll find the nastiest grease ever known to man in that switch. Clean it out and replace it with dialectic grease. If the latching toggle has not been buggered up too much it should work fine.

I have gone through the process several times with success. OH, while in there you might consider doing the same to all switches.

Good Luck! :xszpv::xszpv:
 
Have a service manual on the way. Ordered it 2 days ago when I decided to buy the trike. Tomorrow is going to be decent weather but I just had to push the hazard button to see the lights flash. Hopefully get it unstuck in morning for ride time. Look a little silly going down road with hazards on. Lol
 
Have a service manual on the way. Ordered it 2 days ago when I decided to buy the trike. Tomorrow is going to be decent weather but I just had to push the hazard button to see the lights flash. Hopefully get it unstuck in morning for ride time. Look a little silly going down road with hazards on. Lol

Load that button up with silicone spray- then work it :Shrug:
 
Load that button up with silicone spray- then work it :Shrug:

That works sometimes. The actual switch is way back in there so it is very difficult to get anything to it. If you can manage to get a couple drops of silicone spray lube into the switch it will loosen things up. I have had some success doing that also.

Guess I'm a bit old school with stuff like this. I like to take them apart and clean the GUNK out then lube properly. :xszpv: :xszpv:
 
That works sometimes. The actual switch is way back in there so it is very difficult to get anything to it. If you can manage to get a couple drops of silicone spray lube into the switch it will loosen things up. I have had some success doing that also.

Guess I'm a bit old school with stuff like this. I like to take them apart and clean the GUNK out then lube properly. :xszpv: :xszpv:

Just a temp fix till winter projects set in. Like mentioned before, don't launch the spring !!
 
Load that button up with silicone spray- then work it :Shrug:
>
Load it up then use your compressor to shoot the stuff even deeper along working the button if it breaks loose. If water can get in there with a pressure washer then silicone should get in there as well with some help. Just don't blow it directly and blow it apart. Squirt...blow...squirt...blow. Good luck though as I've found you are just lucky if an easy fix ever works.
 
Had to take panel off to get spray cleaner where it was needed. Took about 4 squirts and kept pushing on button. Freed up & simple to remove panel. Thanks
 
Glad to hear you got it released Brian. Honda could have designed those switches better but it's what we have and don't see it changing. The whole Hazard Warning system is flawed IMHO. If you must leave your ride to go for help you must leave the keys in and ignition on. What is wrong with that idea???

A few years ago someone posted a modification so the Hazard can be activated without ignition on. If anyone is interested I saved it and would be happy to share.

Hey I found the link..... Here it is: http://www.rattlebars.com/chetswing/anytime4ways.html :xszpv: :xszpv:
 
Glad to hear you got it released Brian. Honda could have designed those switches better but it's what we have and don't see it changing. The whole Hazard Warning system is flawed IMHO. If you must leave your ride to go for help you must leave the keys in and ignition on. What is wrong with that idea???

A few years ago someone posted a modification so the Hazard can be activated without ignition on. If anyone is interested I saved it and would be happy to share.

Hey I found the link..... Here it is: http://www.rattlebars.com/chetswing/anytime4ways.html :xszpv: :xszpv:

My rev. switch I thought was sticking but seems like you have to push it a bit outward as you press it. Is that correct or is that a sign of sticking?
 
My rev. switch I thought was sticking but seems like you have to push it a bit outward as you press it. Is that correct or is that a sign of sticking?

It's starting to stick!! :mad:

That switch is a MAJOR pain in the butt to get to! You might do the flood with silicone lube trick with that one. My '01 reverse switch stuck. Took me hours to get it apart, cleaned, and back in working condition. Get to it soon and maybe you can catch it before the latch gets too far gone to save. :xszpv::AGGHH:
 
The reverse button is particularly bad because if it sticks, you aren't going anywhere, unless you back up. It also locks up the rear end, so you can't load it on a wrecker, unless you can back it up onto the platform. If you are getting signs that there is a problem, it should be taken care of soon.
 
Often times the switches stick because the grease inside them thickens and hardens.

A temporary fix to get them unstuck is to blow warm air into them with a hairdryer. That will soften the grease and allow you to work the switch free. When the grease cools and hardens the switch will undoubtedly stick again.

If you choose to disassemble the switch for cleaning I encourage you to do it inside a plastic bag. There is a small spring that will take off like a rocket and the bag will keep it from traveling to some impossible to find spot on your shop floor.
 
I thought electronic cleaner did just that. Clean. Won't it get sticky again without lubricant of some kind?:Shrug:

It is my experience that this style switch needs actual lubricant to stay working. There are moving parts that will ware if not properly lubed. Sprays of several types are temporary measures. Dielectric grease works very well in these switches but that requires removing and taking them apart. :xszpv: :xszpv:
 
I don't know why Honda loads that switch up with that thick grease that lends itself to that problem, My 2004 did that after about 6 years. On my 2012 that I ride now, I make sure and and activate that switch very month about three of four times with the hope that exercise might delay a problem. Time will tell:)
 
It is my experience that this style switch needs actual lubricant to stay working. There are moving parts that will ware if not properly lubed. Sprays of several types are temporary measures. Dielectric grease works very well in these switches but that requires removing and taking them apart. :xszpv: :xszpv:

Dielectric grease is good for non arcing contacts like in plugs, connections ..... but it's silicone based and if used in a arcing contact situation, like switch contacts ....

.... the high momentary temps will cause it to build a black coating on the contacts that will in time, need to be cleaned off.

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I've had problems with window switches of my '07 FX4 PU and when opened up, found such a black coating on the contacts of the problem children.

I cleaned it off and used some NO-OX-ID grease on them instead .... not silicone based, no build up either.

This is a link for a big 8 oz tube, you can get smaller portions at Amazon or Ebay, and all over the net. Tube or tub or small envelopes. . https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...A1EZ2V2AKS0VVR

It's even available in spray .... search Amazon.

"A little dab will do ya".
 
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NO silicone spray!

Load that button up with silicone spray- then work it :Shrug:

Best forget the Silicone Spray! It probably contains acetone which can make a mess of plastic parts. Try CRC brand QD ele3ctroniuc cleaner at Walmart. Recommended by the best Honda Mechanic in the world: Stu Oltman.
 
Best forget the Silicone Spray! It probably contains acetone which can make a mess of plastic parts. Try CRC brand QD ele3ctroniuc cleaner at Walmart. Recommended by the best Honda Mechanic in the world: Stu Oltman.

CRC is all I use for cleaners. They're brake cleaner I buy 3 or 4 cans at a time. Anyone use the silicone on rubber boots of shafts? Read on CSC web its suppose to be done every 4k miles.
 
Best forget the Silicone Spray! It probably contains acetone which can make a mess of plastic parts. Try CRC brand QD ele3ctroniuc cleaner at Walmart. Recommended by the best Honda Mechanic in the world: Stu Oltman.

I have been using spray silicone (many different brands) for years now and not once have I seen any damage. In fact, on rubber it is the preferred method to keep squeaking noises away and the rubber protected. CRC makes many fine products so I sure would not doubt your recommendation. As a spray cleaner be sure when used on switches that there is a lube quality.

On the switches is we have been discussing I'll repeat my recommendation.... Use sprays as a quick emergency fix but get it done correctly as soon as you can... :xszpv: :xszpv:
 

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