Stuck TC button
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 1,359
Likes: 768
From: Indiana
Stuck TC button
Recently purchased a '15 Z51. Zero issues, clean car UNTIL - I tried to turn off the TC. The button seemed immovable with normal pressure. Watched another youtube video on how to turn TC off to verify myself. Simply push the button. Put a little more force into it and the button went down, TC light lit up as it should, but the button will not rebound. The way it feels I can only say it feels like someone poured soda over it. Of course it was detailed when I bought it and zero visible signs, but here we are. BTW the TC light went out as I tried to create movement in the button and get it to rebound.
First idea is to spray electrical cleaner into the button and cross fingers. Maybe get a small suction cup and try to lift the button back and forth. If that doesn't help, remove it and run it through my ultrasonic cleaner. If that doesn't work, replace it. But, if I do, will a module need reprogrammed?
Ideas and advice?
First idea is to spray electrical cleaner into the button and cross fingers. Maybe get a small suction cup and try to lift the button back and forth. If that doesn't help, remove it and run it through my ultrasonic cleaner. If that doesn't work, replace it. But, if I do, will a module need reprogrammed?
Ideas and advice?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 478
From: Maryland, USA
you can try to tape / cover around the switch and spray the heck out of it plastic safe electronic cleaner and try to work it free better, maybe get an air compressor to blow it out some as well.
if that become a hassle might as well pull it out then spray it from behind with electrical cleaner and try to work it lose more. otherwise should be able to get the switch used or new for not too much.
good luck,
if that become a hassle might as well pull it out then spray it from behind with electrical cleaner and try to work it lose more. otherwise should be able to get the switch used or new for not too much.
good luck,
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 54
Likes: 60
From: Mesa, AZ
I had the same thing happen to the "sport" mode button on my CTS. It was caused by a Coke spill. After that, the button wouldn't move down.
When cleaning connectors or electronic components, I normally use Electrical Contact Cleaner. In the case of this button stick, I didn't think that Contact Cleaner would work. I didn't think it would break down the sugar/water. So, even though it felt wrong, I used water instead. I didn't remove the switch. I dropped some water into the switch, only a small amount at a time. After a few flushes, I was able to push the switch down. It works fine now.
Dan
When cleaning connectors or electronic components, I normally use Electrical Contact Cleaner. In the case of this button stick, I didn't think that Contact Cleaner would work. I didn't think it would break down the sugar/water. So, even though it felt wrong, I used water instead. I didn't remove the switch. I dropped some water into the switch, only a small amount at a time. After a few flushes, I was able to push the switch down. It works fine now.
Dan
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 1,359
Likes: 768
From: Indiana
Thank you gentlemen. Thought as well to try distilled water and rubbing alcohol, then contact cleaner. Bought small suctions cups to try and work the button back and forth. I'm assuming the same its either pop (soda for you southern guys) or someone put way to much cleaner on it while detailing.
Will report back with what did or didn't work.
Will report back with what did or didn't work.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 1,359
Likes: 768
From: Indiana
Update
Ordered these
Sprayed some electrical cleaner on a Q tip and dripped the cleaner around the TC button a few times. These 20mm suction cups are the perfect size and work great. Put the cup on my button and was able to work the button back and forth, which became MUCH easier to manipulate. The button will now push down easily, but still will not rebound as it should Suction cup manipulates back and forth like nobody's business. Whatever mechanism used to rebound the button is damaged/inop, which seems to be the case as the button moves relatively freely. Or, there is still residue down there that needs more aggressive cleaning. I may got to a rubbing alcohol solution as I car get more in there much more easily.
Progress
Ordered these
Sprayed some electrical cleaner on a Q tip and dripped the cleaner around the TC button a few times. These 20mm suction cups are the perfect size and work great. Put the cup on my button and was able to work the button back and forth, which became MUCH easier to manipulate. The button will now push down easily, but still will not rebound as it should Suction cup manipulates back and forth like nobody's business. Whatever mechanism used to rebound the button is damaged/inop, which seems to be the case as the button moves relatively freely. Or, there is still residue down there that needs more aggressive cleaning. I may got to a rubbing alcohol solution as I car get more in there much more easily.
Progress
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,898
Likes: 6,697
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
It's in a very vulnerable spot for mobile drinkers. Were I one, I'd fab a cover from something like the bottom of a correctly sized plastic drinking cup (ironically) and paint black on the inside. All the best. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,979
Likes: 4,141
From: Kansas City, MO
Saw this while I was looking for some donor parts for a project. Thought it might be of use to you.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/18477222262...temCondition=4
https://www.ebay.com/itm/18477222262...temCondition=4
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 1,359
Likes: 768
From: Indiana
Jeff V. had I known these buttons were that cheap I may not have gone through the effort to fix mine!
BUT! I'm happy to report my button is functioning and rebounding just as you'd expect it to. Soaking the contact cleaner into the button and working it back and forth with a suction cup did the job. The weather has warmed up 20 degrees since I started, that may have something to do with it, but if it reverts back when cold I'll be sure to post. I appreciate all the feedback.
Todd
BUT! I'm happy to report my button is functioning and rebounding just as you'd expect it to. Soaking the contact cleaner into the button and working it back and forth with a suction cup did the job. The weather has warmed up 20 degrees since I started, that may have something to do with it, but if it reverts back when cold I'll be sure to post. I appreciate all the feedback.
Todd
