18 minute hazard switch replacement
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 514
Likes: 21
Thanks for the feed back. Enough people have had this issue that I'm going to update the OP to include this step
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood CA
Thanks for the feedback for this fix.
I have the replacement switch and just need enough day-light to fix it.
Note to others needing this fix, you must remember not to be afraid to pull a little harder to remove some of the panels on these vehicles. You are not going to break it. You might get a little bloody. Trust me, I know.
Thanks to this board for the assistance to get my passenger door to lock and to have the window go up and down.
I have the replacement switch and just need enough day-light to fix it.
Note to others needing this fix, you must remember not to be afraid to pull a little harder to remove some of the panels on these vehicles. You are not going to break it. You might get a little bloody. Trust me, I know.
Thanks to this board for the assistance to get my passenger door to lock and to have the window go up and down.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 514
Likes: 21
Poster above me messaged me with an issue getting the knee bolster off. Definitely have to give it a good yank to get it to pop out. I made and sent him a video. If anyone needs it let me know, and if enough people want it, I'll update the OP to include it. Thanks.
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood CA
The video, in addition to the PM's helped and all is done and functioning. It's a tight fit to remove the switch and it does help to have smaller hands. Mine needed to be smaller. The brake lights work and all is well. I felt so good after this I even gave the Vette a needed bath. My wife is happy.
Thanks again dizzysn.
Thanks again dizzysn.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 514
Likes: 21
The video, in addition to the PM's helped and all is done and functioning. It's a tight fit to remove the switch and it does help to have smaller hands. Mine needed to be smaller. The brake lights work and all is well. I felt so good after this I even gave the Vette a needed bath. My wife is happy.
Thanks again dizzysn.
Thanks again dizzysn.
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
hazard switch replacement
thanks for the post. I was preparing to remove the console and center dash cover etc when i saw your post. Had a little trouble releasing the clips but with a small screwdriver at the lower side of the switch i was able to pop it out.Thanks so much. Now i dont have to wonder if the signals will work every time i use them,definetly a safety issue and a distraction from driving as well!
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 160
Likes: 129
Awesome! This was great info. I was prepared to tear the whole center console and radio out until I read this. The only part that gave me trouble was releasing the tabs on the switch. Some have said use a small screw driver, I used a small allen wrench, I found it a lot easier to get in the tight space.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 23
Likes: 3
From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
Hey guys, thought this might help some people.
I had to replace my hazard safety switch in my C5 Z06, since I had no brake lights. I've read a few write ups and they all say it takes over an hour to do. I did it in 18 minutes. After doing it myself I'm absolutely shocked at the amount of time it takes people to do this and I think my way is a lot easier. With the method below, the center console bezel does not need to be removed, and the head unit doesn't need to come out either.
The steps with no video or pictures are easy and I felt they did not require visual instruction. If you feel otherwise let me know and I'll get it done.
Step 1: Pop off your trunk release switch on the left side of the steering wheel with a flat head, and your air temperature sensor cover on the right side, next to your ignition, with a flat head as well. This exposes two torx screws. Undo those screws and set them aside.
Step 2: Underneath the knee bolster there are two more torx screws of the same size. Undo those and set them aside.
Step 3: Gently pull on the bottom of the knee bolster until it pops. You need to be firm, but don't man-handle it. Be careful because there is a wire that is attached to the temperature sensor.
Step 4: I was able to wiggle the bolster out out without having to remove the center console bezel, and without breaking anything. I gently pried up on the bezel around the ignition and it slid right out. Once you've done this, disconnect the air temperature sensor cable, from the sensor itself.
Step 5: Pop off the hazard button. I just used my car keys to do this. I stuck them in, turned a bit, and it pulled right off.
Step 5.5: A few people have replied to let me know that they had issues getting the hazard switch to unclip. Mine was a crappy OEM one and it just pushed right out. The general consensus to get it out is to take a small to medium sized screwdriver and give a good knock on the handle to pop it out, to if it's thin enough, to wiggle it in and use that to depress the clips. Should only add another few minutes to the total time, if any at all. (Big thanks to those who updated me with this extra step they had to take, so I can pass it on to you guys!)
Step 6:
Step 7: Verify that you have turn signals, hazards, brake lights and tail lights before you put everything back together.
Step 8:
Step 9: Use a pair of long and skinny needle nose pliers to pull the switch forward. Looking at the face of the switch once it's in, there is an empty triangle that you can use to grab on to with the pliers. Once you've secured it in it's place, you can push the button back on.
Step 10: Reattach temperature sensor to the cables you unplugged from it, and slip the knee bolster back into place the same way you took it out.
Step 11: Put the torx screws back in, reattach the temperature sensor cover, and plug the trunk release back in and you're good to go!
Total time took 18 minutes, not including the water and cigarette break.
I had to replace my hazard safety switch in my C5 Z06, since I had no brake lights. I've read a few write ups and they all say it takes over an hour to do. I did it in 18 minutes. After doing it myself I'm absolutely shocked at the amount of time it takes people to do this and I think my way is a lot easier. With the method below, the center console bezel does not need to be removed, and the head unit doesn't need to come out either.
The steps with no video or pictures are easy and I felt they did not require visual instruction. If you feel otherwise let me know and I'll get it done.
Step 1: Pop off your trunk release switch on the left side of the steering wheel with a flat head, and your air temperature sensor cover on the right side, next to your ignition, with a flat head as well. This exposes two torx screws. Undo those screws and set them aside.
Step 2: Underneath the knee bolster there are two more torx screws of the same size. Undo those and set them aside.
Step 3: Gently pull on the bottom of the knee bolster until it pops. You need to be firm, but don't man-handle it. Be careful because there is a wire that is attached to the temperature sensor.
Step 4: I was able to wiggle the bolster out out without having to remove the center console bezel, and without breaking anything. I gently pried up on the bezel around the ignition and it slid right out. Once you've done this, disconnect the air temperature sensor cable, from the sensor itself.
Step 5: Pop off the hazard button. I just used my car keys to do this. I stuck them in, turned a bit, and it pulled right off.
Step 5.5: A few people have replied to let me know that they had issues getting the hazard switch to unclip. Mine was a crappy OEM one and it just pushed right out. The general consensus to get it out is to take a small to medium sized screwdriver and give a good knock on the handle to pop it out, to if it's thin enough, to wiggle it in and use that to depress the clips. Should only add another few minutes to the total time, if any at all. (Big thanks to those who updated me with this extra step they had to take, so I can pass it on to you guys!)
Step 6:
Step 7: Verify that you have turn signals, hazards, brake lights and tail lights before you put everything back together.
Step 8:
Step 9: Use a pair of long and skinny needle nose pliers to pull the switch forward. Looking at the face of the switch once it's in, there is an empty triangle that you can use to grab on to with the pliers. Once you've secured it in it's place, you can push the button back on.
Step 10: Reattach temperature sensor to the cables you unplugged from it, and slip the knee bolster back into place the same way you took it out.
Step 11: Put the torx screws back in, reattach the temperature sensor cover, and plug the trunk release back in and you're good to go!
Total time took 18 minutes, not including the water and cigarette break.
8th Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Peyton Colorado
Thank you!!
Thanks DIZZYSN for this post!.. I just did this on mine today. Only took maybe 10 minutes! You do need small hands tho, which I do.
BTW, changing out this switch solved my 4 brake lights not working problem for anyone else who that happens to. Change this switch before shelling out the bucks for a MFS.
I just did this on mine today. Only took maybe 10 minutes! You do need small hands tho, which I do.BTW, changing out this switch solved my 4 brake lights not working problem for anyone else who that happens to. Change this switch before shelling out the bucks for a MFS.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 514
Likes: 21
Thanks DIZZYSN for this post!.. I just did this on mine today. Only took maybe 10 minutes! You do need small hands tho, which I do.
BTW, changing out this switch solved my 4 brake lights not working problem for anyone else who that happens to. Change this switch before shelling out the bucks for a MFS.
I just did this on mine today. Only took maybe 10 minutes! You do need small hands tho, which I do.BTW, changing out this switch solved my 4 brake lights not working problem for anyone else who that happens to. Change this switch before shelling out the bucks for a MFS.
Told you not to buy this C5 gmjunk, Jesse. Did it fix it?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 514
Likes: 21
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Middletown Delaware
Yeah I did the next day shipping. Autozone had it but they wanted like $65 for a Duralast switch. Less quality for triple the price... where do I sign up!?
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
The Dorman brand switches work just fine. All you need to do is remove those black plastic pieces over the tabs. If your hazard switch is just sitting in there, its because the socket it sits in is broken.
