cruise control switch won't mechanically engage

[gwegener]

Cruise control works if I hold the button down. The cruise indicator light lights up, and if I manage to also hit the set button (that button works), the set light illuminates and the cruise control is activated for as long as I hold the cruise button in. When I release it, cruise control is deactivated as if I had toggled it off.

Would like to know if there is an alternative to replacing the switch, and if not, any pointers on doing it. I do enough distance riding to make this worth whatever effort is required.

This is a 2010 1800. Haven't had any other problems.

[WingAdmin]

This is a pretty common problem. Honda used grease in the switch internals to lubricate it, and over time the grease hardens to the point where it prevents the tiny little pawl from following the path in the nylon switch guide, and the switch won't lock in or out properly.

The solution is to get the grease out of there. A plastic-safe solvent will work, I use CRC contact cleaner, which I know won't harm the plastic, and as a bonus, cleans up the electrical contacts inside.

https://www.amazon.com/CRC-5103-Quick-E ... 399&sr=8-1

Do NOT use WD-40 - it may flush out the grease, but leaves behind an oily residue that will collect grit and dust, and you'll find yourself with the same problem again in short order.

You really need to open the pod housing up to get to the switch to clean it. Best of all worlds is to open the switch completely and disassemble it, but there are tiny springs etc. inside that can easily fly off into nowhere, and you'll never get the switch to work again. If you do decide to disassemble the switch (I don't recommend it) put your hands and the switch inside a gallon Ziploc bag while doing it, so the tiny bits that come flying out aren't lost.

Find This Item on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BXOGNI?tag=goldwingdocs-20

[Asphaltmaniac]

If you have high mileage I'd suggest replacing the throttle cables if you swap out the switch cluster.

[CruiseControl]

This is a pretty common problem. … The solution is to get the grease out of there. A plastic-safe solvent will work, I use CRC contact cleaner...

You are an amazing resource! You recognized the actual problem... as opposed to jumping on some other unrelated issue. (Of course the thorough description of the problem helped. Well done, gwegener.) You described the ideal solution, the pitfalls of attempting certain solutions and how to avoid them, and gave links to good resources. Thank you!

I haven't tried the solution yet. But I feel very confident this will solve my problem.

And thanks for keeping this forum going. I wish that I could find information like this on the first thread that pops up whenever I search for answers! Any chance of adding a "Problem Solved" rating/scoring to make these kinds of posts easier to find?

[AZgl1800]

Home Depot has CRC 2-26 which is pretty much the same product, $2.98

plastic safe, and a good cleaner for switches.

Never leave home without it


http://www.homedepot.com/p/CRC-2-26-5-o ... /100398344

my rural mailbox has an inner Locking door.
being out in the weather, the lock likes to stop working.
used this on that lock last fall and it still turns today, just as easy as it did last fall.