Hazzard Warning Switch

[Arthway]

The hazzard lights just started flashing quite fast today after driving down our bumpy track. Eventually managed to stop it by a lot of pressing of the button. Bit of a worry though, as later (after a short drive and getting out of the car) they did it again.

I want to investigate and clean up the contacts etc - how do I get access to the switch?

 

[AlexD333]

The hazzard lights just started flashing quite fast today after driving down our bumpy track. Eventually managed to stop it by a lot of pressing of the button. Bit of a worry though, as later (after a short drive and getting out of the car) they did it again.

I want to investigate and clean up the contacts etc - how do I get access to the switch?

I suppose you need to assess of the switch is at fault or something else.

Did the switch make a difference to the operation of the lights flashing?if not I would of thought something else is to blame.

Were they flashing faster too? :nenau

 

[Ianinessex]

The hazzard lights just started flashing quite fast today after driving down our bumpy track. Eventually managed to stop it by a lot of pressing of the button. Bit of a worry though, as later (after a short drive and getting out of the car) they did it again.

I want to investigate and clean up the contacts etc - how do I get access to the switch?

I have had cars before that have an impact sensor (disco!) If you hit a bump hard off road it would set the hazards off. Reset was simply engine off and back on again. If you are setting this off, you may be driving a bit too hard over the bumps. :naughty

I don't know if Terranos and 'trol's have these as I have never pushed either that hard. :nenau

My Honda CR-V has hazards that automatically come on if you hit the brakes hard as in an emergency stop. these go back off by themselves. Clever little Honda.

 

[Banshee]

I have had cars before that have an impact sensor (disco!) If you hit a bump hard off road it would set the hazards off. Reset was simply engine off and back on again. If you are setting this off, you may be driving a bit too hard over the bumps. :naughty

I don't know if Terranos and 'trol's have these as I have never pushed either that hard. :nenau

Crickey!!! The abuse I've seen some cars getting and I've never seen the hazard lights flashing

 

[Ianinessex]

Crickey!!! The abuse I've seen some cars getting and I've never seen the hazard lights flashing

I only did in once in my disco and I did hit a bump (rock) hard while driving too fast down a private lane in the dark. :doh

I do not know if any of the Nissan's have this, but it would tie up with the reported problem.

 

[trophymick]

My old Terrano had auto hazard lights, they used to come on by themselves.:lol

Try some electrical contact spray into the switch, that worked for me.:thumb2

The switch is built into the radio and a real pain to get at and there's not a lot you can do to it. One of the worst designs I have ever seen.:doh

 

[Banshee]

I've known of cars hazard lights coming on under intense braking, must be linked to the ABS somehow?

The amount of times I've seen BMW's and Audi's i've seen pile up on the M1 all with the hazards going

 

[rayf3262]

A suggestion....
when you gain access to the switch, unplug it, then leave it disconnected for a few days and see if the fault reoccurs.

 

[Sweety]

What age is your truck as there are 3 options on where the switch is, MK1&2's had it in the centre dash but MK3&4's had it either built into the stereo or above it on the ones with a single din stereo:augie

 

[perelaar]

In my 1997 T2 (2.7tdi) the hazards do not come on under emergency braking. Haven't tried an impact, and I don't want to do one for experiments' sake

In our road car (recent Seat Leon) the hazards do come on, even under what I would consider normal braking. Very annoying!

 

[jims-terrano]

Firstly what year is your truck, as said there are three different options of switch.

Also careful leaving it disconnected because Im sure it also effects something else too but can't remember off hand.

The mk1 & 2 type mounted in the dashboard are not supposed to be taken apart but have to say I once did it years ago to replace the bulb but it was difficult.

 

[panelbeater]

i have a spare hazard switch here if needed.

 

[solarman216]

I would imagine that for hazards to come on automatically then it has to be a fault, the main reason being it is against the law to use them while moving, yes it really is, Rick

 

[Banshee]

I would imagine that for hazards to come on automatically then it has to be a fault, the main reason being it is against the law to use them while moving, yes it really is, Rick

Rick, if this is the case, why on newer cars when under harsh braking do they come on automatically? Surely you could be done if they came on then? How would you talk your way out of that?

 

[kitchenman]

In the past if the flashers went fast it was due to a dead bulb, could the problem be a poor connection on a bulb making it intermittent

 

[solarman216]

Rick, if this is the case, why on newer cars when under harsh braking do they come on automatically? Surely you could be done if they came on then? How would you talk your way out of that?

As far as I am aware it has always been illegal to use them unless stationary, I can only quote rule 116 which states in red "you must not use hazards while driving or being towed, Rick

 

[AlexD333]

I would imagine that for hazards to come on automatically then it has to be a fault, the main reason being it is against the law to use them while moving, yes it really is, Rick

Rick is on it again, motorway is exception though it seems

116
Hazard warning lights. These may be used when your vehicle is stationary, to warn that it is temporarily obstructing traffic. Never use them as an excuse for dangerous or illegal parking. You MUST NOT use hazard warning lights while driving or being towed unless you are on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway and you need to warn drivers behind you of a hazard or obstruction ahead. Only use them for long enough to ensure that your warning has been observed.
Law RVLR reg 27

 

[Arthway]

Hi folks

Sorry to have not replied earlier, but been rather busy the last week or two.

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. The car was first registered Jan 1998. When the fault occurred, the flashing was significantly faster than what happens when the hazards are in normal use.

It hasn't happened since, so I have decided to leave it alone for now. I have obtained some electrical contact spray, so if it does it again then I can look into trying to clean it etc.

However, I am still uncertain as to how I am suppose to gain access to it. The radio that is installed is not the one that is referred to in the operator's handbook, so I presume it was either replaced at some point - or was installed instead of the standard one (?) (It is a JVC KD-S6060, and has an annoying habit of switching itself ON when driving over bumps!).

 

[jims-terrano]

Just an after market radio thats all. The Whole bezal will need to be removed to get to the back of the switch, must be easy as even I managed that several times on my 1996 truck.