How to Replace the Hazard Light Switch
 

Here we go with another guide requested. It is for a small part of the car, but it seems that many people have been having problems with their Hazard Light Switch.

There are 2 ways to remove the Hazard Light Switch. I have followed both ways and posted photos so you can choose whichever you think is easier to follow


First of all remove the fascia form the heater control panel. I use my Leatherman blade to prise it off from one side and then the other.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...h/Hazard01.jpg

Undo all four screws
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...h/Hazard02.jpg

The Heater Control Unit is also secured by this clip on that slot. To remove the Heater Control Unit you need to push it in slightly and it will prise off easily. Pay attention when you put everything back together as you must make sure you secure it back the correct way.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...h/Hazard03.jpg

There are two connectors plugged in the Heater Control Unit. Best way to remove it is to push it in diagonally and unclip the first connector.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...h/Hazard04.jpg

You can then remove the Heater Control Unit partially outwards and unplug the second connector
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...h/Hazard05.jpg

Now here is where there are two ways to do it. I personally use the first method, as I am used to it and I know where and what the parts look like.


Method 1
Put your hands in there and try to feel the two clips securing the Hazard Light Switch. See the next two images to get an idea of what you should be feeling for.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...h/Hazard06.jpg

You need to push the two clips gently inwards and push the Hazard Light Switch inwards
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...h/Hazard07.jpg

A close up:
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...h/Hazard08.jpg

You will need to wiggle out the switch so it is in this position. Then you can easily unclip it and replace it with your new switch.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...h/Hazard09.jpg


Method 2

This is the method I used the very first time I had to replace my Hazard Light Switch. It is a lot more trickier in my opinion and you face a small risk of breaking something, or losing small bits.

You will need to remove both vents. Again, I used my trusted Leatherman to prise off each vent.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...h/Hazard10.jpg

This is a bit tricky too if it is the first time you have ever tried it. You need to push those clips downwards. See also next photo. The best way I found out is to do the right side one first and pull the fascia outwards and then do the left hand side one
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...h/Hazard11.jpg

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...h/Hazard12.jpg

Then you just pull out the fascia outwards and very easily disconnect the Hazard Light Switch and replace it with the new one
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...h/Hazard13.jpg

JOB DONE


And here are some close up images of the switch. If you want to take it apart to try to repair it, you need to push in this clip and do the same on the other side
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...h/Hazard14.jpg

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...h/Hazard15.jpg

This small metal bit is the one moving from left to right locking and unlocking the Hazard Light Switch. The tip of it moves in some grooves which makes it move from left to right. I have tried in the past to repair an old Hazard Light Switch I had but had no luck whatsoever with it.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...h/Hazard16.jpg

Yet another superb guide. Since this seems to be a common fault this will be very helpful for those wanting to fix it ( like me )

Thanks Gatos for taking the time again to do the guide :thumbs_up:

I tested the 4 hazard light switches I had and 3 of them were fine. The 4th one was stuck and that is the one I took apart.

One of them is yours Volvo2002, and I need to find out who was the other person who asked me for one.

Thanks CAT MAN

Thanks Alex. Look forward to doing this job myself. I'm starting to enjoy doing my own work now. The Gearknob was a good start :)

hey alex , i notice your toolkit seems to use the leatherman a lot .....im happy to send you over a small flat bladed screwdriver !!!!
cheers from NZ

I like it :thumbs_up:

It seems those plastic or metal things, moving left and right, are common weak points for generally all push-switches.

lol. Indeed. A lot of people buying, buy it as an expensive gadget that they will hardly ever use. I keep it on me most of the time and keep using it all the time. I have flat blade screw drivers, but the leatherman blade is quite thin, wide and strong and that is why I use it a lot. It's nickname is "butcher", as the blade closed on me once and cut my finger down to the bone....:(

Since then, I have learned how to use it a lot more carefully

Another clever guide for the Articles section, Gatos :thumbs_up:

Fitted today and working perfectly. Used Method 1

Unfortunately I found this job a bit of an annoyance. My hands aren't small so I found inserting the new switch in and connecting the plug onto the back a bloody nightmare. After much determination I got the plug in and the new switch fitted. The old switch appears to engage whenever it feels like it.

The guide was very well explained and I rate it highly. Just don't be a idiot like me and damage the three ventilation knobs in the process :D

It is a bit tricky, I agree. That is why you have to take your time and have a feel of what goes where.

agreed :thumbs_up:

Funnily enough that was one of the first jobs I ever did on my V40, great guide Alex, very useful for all new /future/existing V40 owners.

I found it very helpful.

It's a bit awkward getting your hand in to push the switch in though :D

Hi. A great guide and is going to be helpful for me.
My hazard switch is working but the bulb is blown.
Can someone tell me the part number for the bulb?

It's simple 3mm filament bulb like this one. http://uk.farnell.com/lux/n9952907/l...72w/dp/1139471

When you remove the old bulb, pay attention how the wires are twisted in their slots and do the same with the new one.

The adaptor looks like this: http://www.ipdusa.com/products/5807/...-interior-bulb

Thanks for the info. Will try to sort it out at the weekend.

Fixing the switch toggle
 

Thanks for the guide! I used it to extract and disassemble the hazard light switch. The problem with my switch was that the toggle was not locking positions on the switch when you push the button and it would just remain in the "on" position and not switch to the "off position." To fix this, I applied a dab of epoxy to the off-white component so that when in the housing, it would push the plastic down onto the metal clip more which gave it the downward force the metal toggle needed to switch positions when you push the button. I didn't take a picture but I marked the spot (orange outline with red fill) where I applied the epoxy on the photo.
http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1e0a6d60.jpg

Excellent guide Gatos, when are you going to document the v70 in this detail.lol.

Very handy bump, as I was wondering how to swap the broken vent with the working one on my old car :) Didn't realise they would just pop out with a flat screwdriver. Although I know I've taken the vent unit out before, haha

Now to work out if I can dismantle the vent to re-seat the loose plastic clips inside..... I'll do a guide if I ever figure it out :D

PS Gatos did this guide ever get copied to the Articles section? I think I've seen it before but not there? Quick PM to an admin if you want that done, make sure they link back to the original thread as we can't comment on or reply to the Articles

Easy to re-seat the plastic clips behind the vent. You will figure it out once you remove it. If you click on my signature, you will find all my guides. For some reason, admin has messed up the layout for some security reasons and I can't correct them anymore

I removed the cover, and I reseated the clips... but still seems to be catching somehow, so every 3-4 wiggles it just gets caught on something invisible, and pops out again. I could probably pull them all out and refit carefully but I just swapped it for the same vent in the old car.

Thing is, now I can't figure out how to get the vent cover back into place with the rubber grommet on one side and the metal spring clip on the other without dropping the metal clip into the vent behind the cover or the black grommet on the black carpeted floor. It's so fiddly that I just gave up before I killed myself with the frustration. There must be a knack to it?

*bump*

Anyone know the process for refitting the vent cover? (Central right, specifically)

I have a metal spring/plate, which obviously fits on the right edge, and I have a tiny rubber washer, which obviously fits on one of the three pegs (two as a hinge, one as a motion stop). I tried fitting with the washer on the left peg, but it feels wrong, and the metal spring/plate grates on the housing. So I guess the washer needs to go on the right somehow with the spring?

Thanks for the guide. This tackles two problems in my car in one go. broken heater vent surround and a hazard switch that only turns off if you give the dash a good thump with your palm.

Thats a job for next time Im scavenging parts to get some replacements.