GL1500 4 way flasher switch sticking

Yeah John, as far as you can safely spread them, that way you can get that little red tubing nozzle right down into the switches... I usually put a few towels under the handlebars just to prevent spraying all the bike plastic with the cleaner...

I had a couple stubborn one's on my buddies 93 Aspy trike a few days ago but I finally got them working... Heating the switches a bit would help too as I suspect the reason they are sticking is that all the lubricant inside the switch has turned into a thick goo... Heating it up should help to thin it out a bit - just be careful not to melt anything with the heat gun or hair dryer...

Les

AZgl1500 said:

Okay, just how far apart do you split the switch housings?

just enough to get the spritz wand inside?

I sure don't want to hear springs flying away.

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You wont get as far as the springs. The 2 halves of the switch housing come apart easily and nothing will fall out. Just make sure you line up the choke control properly when you put the 2 halves back together.

John, I think if the "inards" aren't broken for some reason you shouldn't see any springs coming out. Just the two phillips screws and a slight tap and it came apart. It doesn't separate a bunch but you can get the CRC straw inside ok to spray.

I really thought some sort of a plastic detent or something had broken off the switch and I would end up replacing it. I'm glad I listened to the voices of experience here plus I didn't realize there was a How To about it.

I have seen some guys (here) actually take certain switches apart and refurbish them by giving them a thorough cleaning and then relube them... I would do that if absolutely necessary but usually it isn't...

Once you crack the switch housing, you will see how the various switches are held in with small screws... If you wanted to go to that detail, you would unsolder the wires from the switch, remove the switch, disassemble, and refurbish the contacts...

One has to be extremely careful disassembling the switches as they tend to grenade when you remove the screws that hold them together with springs and little parts flying about - not a job for the faint of heart

Les

CRC is good stuff too bad it is kind of pricey. I bought a can last weekend for these sticking switches and used several squirts. Yesterday I was rushing around a little to take a bike ride before the sun went down. Knocked the new can of CRC over, it did a swan dive to the floor and broke the plastic plunger in the top. The can immediately started spraying relieving the pressure in the can. :shock: I had to put the can outdoors while it was spraying. So if I need to do anymore electrical cleaning I need to buy another can!! :sadguy: The upside I did have a good ride which will probably be one of my last for the season! :action:

That is just awful on loosing that can of CRC spray.

I have had mine for years simply because a little goes a long way.

Bummer on the can falling - it is good stuff, some of the best I have used... Time to bite the bullet I guess and spring for another can... :sadguy:

Les

John J said:

It's often best to seperate the switch block first (it's only 2 phillips screws from underneath it). You can then get the contact cleaner directly onto the slider and clean it more thoroughly. It's a good chance to clean up all the switches when you have taken the housing off the handlebar.

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'2' phillips screws? I've an '89 1500, and I can only find 1 on the underside of my Cruise Control switch housing! What am I missing here? Where the heck is that 2nd screw?

Oops! Never mind... I looked again and found the other screw... hiding in a nook in front of the Start button. Now to see how much further I can mess it up by taking it apart a bit.

i use silicone grease every year when i take it out in spring,i try to remember to put some every month or so to keep them working
all the switchs get the same treatment and i never have sticking problems with them

tracker4x44 said:

i use silicone grease every year when i take it out in spring,i try to remember to put some every month or so to keep them working
all the switchs get the same treatment and i never have sticking problems with them

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Look at the post dates, this is an old post that was drug up and he answered his own question just before your post. Read all the posts before posting, not just the first post.