High / low beam switch [button?] sticking

[AMCQ46]

Just done a quick search and found no threads on this, so as threatened, here is a new thread!!

As the title says, the push button for the hi / low beam is sticking on my bike, I am about to take it apart, but any body had a similar problem, got any hints & tips?

or is there anyone with a damaged L/H switch gear set that I can use for salvage parts?

[chaz]

had a few bikes in this winter same problem, split the halves then either spray with an electrical anti tracking spray or wd40. may need to give a wipe round with a cotton wool bud .
remember wiring is short here and will be difficult to get back in or limit how much you can get apart to clean.

[r4vtr]

just had the same prob on mine i used wd40 seems ok now i also had problems with the indicator swich so wd40 there to all working good now

[Wicky]

The contact switches are greased up from new - Unless you've had them apart your problem is probably due to the sub-zero temps having an odd effect.

Careful in taking the switch apart - I did mine to try and solve a temperamental sticky horn (ooer!) for MOT - ended up with a newer one of ebay which had a sticky indicator - fixed that but it set off a sticky horn again.

[AMCQ46]

like the visual comedy there wicky, very good!

I have already fired WD all rount the push button from teh outside, and if anything it is worse now.!!!!!!!!!

I did wonder if it could be a low temp problem with material changing size etc. and will put off the strip down till it gets warmer and see if that is the main issue, as I know what you mean when the switch falls appart in your hands when you were trying to repair it.

[seb421]

glad im not the only one, i have to just hold my pass button in because if i turn main beam on with the hi/low button it sticks and is a bitch to get out.... realy pisses off other motorists!

[tony.mon]

Might just be old grease- try spraying brake cleaner or electrical contact cleaner in there (ignition off, of course).

You can get aerosol stuff which is designed to put an insulating film over anything- works to stop leads or coils sparking to earth in the wet.

And doesn't WD40 conduct electricity? Certainly flammable when wet.....

[AMCQ46]

Great, it just decided to stick latched in the Hi position for a bit, and once it eventually released, it now wont latch at all.

On the look out for a new one, but will have to strip down teh old one before MOT time.

[seb421]

balls didnt think about that, ill have to get this fixed before march too

[AMCQ46]

Now fixed.

it got worse & worse and it wouldnt latch in the "in" position at all, so I took the assy off and before I went for a full strip down I thought I would try the WD40 again.
This time I could angle the switch so gravity was working to help me get the lubricant into the switch itself and after a few cycles, it started to latch normaly again.

So saved the cost of a new switch and can consider an MOT when the snow goes away

[seb421]

Now fixed.

it got worse & worse and it wouldnt latch in the "in" position at all, so I took the assy off and before I went for a full strip down I thought I would try the WD40 again.
This time I could angle the switch so gravity was working to help me get the lubricant into the switch itself and after a few cycles, it started to latch normaly again.

So saved the cost of a new switch and can consider an MOT when the snow goes away

sh1t! didnt think of that, will it fail and mot if it wont release ?

[AMCQ46]

Not an expert on MOT rules, but I think that they will test Hi and Low beam pattern, and if the switch wont latch or release, then it would fail.

[Jonesey]

Had an MOT yesterday, and they do test the hi/lo, i've had a look about, and the switch gear for the left side seems to be pretty generic if not the same!
CBR1000 seem VERY similar, but that's just from pictures.
If you get stuck, PM me and I will more than likely be able to help.
Cheers, Chris.

[Jonesey]

2004 onwards (ish) seem correct too.
Chris.

[benny hedges]

mine was doing the same thing - sticking on full beam unless i flicked the button hard
thought i'd melted it with them mega bulbs lol.
just fitted vfr bars so while i had the switches off i took them apart and cleaned in pimento oil - works like new now.
had them before where the little spring has broken inside, mended with bits of pen springs!