Emergency Flasher switch sticks....

[Big Bob]

I'm assuming because of our cold weather here in MN again (50 degrees and colder) the emergency flasher switch was sticking in the on position. My question is would I be safe to spray contact cleaner around t edge of the switch and hope enough goes back to clean the contacts, or do I need to go deeper to really clean it. And more importantly, will contact cleaner damage the black plastic that surrounds the switch. Bike is a 06 1800. Thanks for the help.

Bob

[baumedagn]

Use a plastic safe cleaner such as CRC. Spray it around the switch and work it. This should free it up. DO NOT USE WD40! It attracts dirt and will make it worse in the long run.

[Big Bob]

Good to know about CRC contact cleaner. I have Radio Shack contact cleaner, don't recall if it damages plastic or not, I always clean it up, I just don't want to damage that large of an area around the switch. Thanks.

Bob

[Mountain rider]

Use some CRC 26 contact cleaner and lube. It's plastic safe and works really well. Those switches have a history of sticking or just not working. The one on my 03 had been pried out multiple times by the PO, and for me, never worked, just wouldn't lock in. I finally had to replace the switch with one from Radio Shack. Good luck and ride safe.

[GoldWingrGreg]

You'll need to remove the switch panel, and then the cover on the back of it to access where the switch is. Once you get the cover off, and the switch removed, you'll see the trying to clean and lube the switch from the outside will accomplish nothing.

Remove the switch by disconnecting it's light-bulb wires (small white connector), its 2 screws, and unclip its black-squarish, electrical cover. Be careful, under the electrical cover is a small spring ... imeaditaly remove the spring so that it does not get lost. Once you have the switch in you hand, completely clean the grease out of it ... all of it !!! Then use an electrical spray lube and reassemble it.

[WingAdmin]

Highly recommended: take a gallon-size Ziploc bag and wrap it around your hands and the switch when disassembling. This will catch the spring when it inevitably jumps out during disassembly, and prevent it from shooting off never to be seen again.