Hi All - I need some help working with my hazard light switch. Recently my 1970 non-tilt column was rebuilt, and having since gotten it back and just getting to wiring/testing, I'm realizing the hazard button will not turn off once pressed on. Depressing the button activates the hazard lights just fine, but I cannot get it to turn off - once the switch is activated, the button will not pull out. Perhaps I'm not undoing the button press correctly, but my thought was it would pull back out, or if you press in further it would disengage. Nothing seems to get the switch deactivated. I tore apart the first bit of column to get a better look, and am seeing the switch activate (see picture 2), but will only deactivate when I give it a little nudge (see picture 3) which fully retracts the button back to home position (picture 4). Any insight from others who might have seen this previously?
Pull on it harder. It will either turn them off or break. If it does turn them off, turn them on and off several times. It's probably a high quality Chinese replacement switch. I replaced mine with a Delco switch (made in China) and mine wouldn't stay in. There was some excess plastic on mine. I filed it off and it works fine.
Also, loosening the three large black phillips head screws and turning the guts just bit might make it release more easily... That is if it's not 100% lined up with the hole. Pulling is the way to turn it off.
Many thanks for the insight! Thought I was going to pull the dang button off, but pulling harder did end up just releasing the switch, no damage done! After a few cycles on/off, it seems to have worked into a more manageable resistance in/out. Now back to reassembly... any tricks for getting the black cover plate far enough on the column to more easily set the snap ring? Pretty sure I can muscle it, but may take some time and any tips are always appreciated...
I press the plate down with my two thumbs and have an assistant install the ring, but there is a tool for it. From the 1972 Buick Chassis Service Manual:
