Effects Pedal Button Switch Repair | Fix cutting out, crackling, static from foot switch

If your guitar, bass or other instrument fx pedal cuts out or get staticky and crackly when you step on it, find out some things to check. Ultimately, we'll repair the button switch in this video.

These are two of my favorite pedals, which no doubt got stomped more than any others I own. This MI Audio GI Fuzz would cut out when I stomped it and this Blue Boy Deluxe would create background static / crackle when engaged. Bumping or kicking the pedal and/or turning it on and off a few times would eventually get it working normally. But, obviously, that's unreliably for live playing or recording.

In this video, I'll take apart the GI Fuzz, look for problems, and repair the button switch by opening it and cleaning it.

0:00 - The problem
0:42 - Check these first
1:16 - Why not replace the switch?
1:42 - Access the switch
2:14 - Disassemble the switch
2:56 - Clean the switch
3:22 - Reassemble the switch
4:28 - Moment of truth
4:42 - If this didn't work

[bigtuba]

thank you so much. this took 20 minutes and completely fixed a pedal that had been sidelined for years. greatly appreciated!

[cafassiticul]

Many thanks, you just saved me a beloved pedal. Great tutorial and well explained. Again, thank you very much.

[dombruzzesi]

Had sound cutting out on a pedal I literally bought a month ago and this tutorial fixed my issue. Thank you so much

[Killa-B]

Thanks for the video. It helped me fix my problem with my compressor pedal. Switch still had plenty of grease on the contact points. Had to reposition the spring and the pin that’s sits inside the spring. Switch is no longer cutting out the pedal.

[dannyloos]

Dude I am so grateful. Saw this and got inspired to fix up my broken Count to 5 pedal, and lo and behold, the contact plates were covered in grease. A little rubbing alcohol later, and the pedal works again, after 2 years of being broken! Saved my $350 pedal mate, and my next gig is gonna have all the toan now

[telegaster]

Thanks to your video, today I fixed the 3PDT switch that was causing my Sonic Maximizer to cut in and out.
I did just as you recommended, taking the switch apart, cleaning all the parts inside with contact cleaner and then carefully reassembling by bending the prongs back in-place, and all while it was still in the pedal!
Now it works flawlessly again! Many thanks and happy holidays Wriggly!

[chucklakeridge]

Just tried this on an OD pedal (Jetter GS124) that would cut out when clicked on. Just like the GI in the vid. Opener her up and found that there was excess grease inside the pot where the three contacts are, likely from the pot manufacturer. Cleaned them up and so far, no recurring issues.

Great vid, you saved my pedal! Thanks!

[garywat]

Fixed my Bonsai pedal with this video. The goop on those little contacts was giving me a dead signal across my board. Much thanks and subscribed!

[bobbyhalick]

Amazing video, exactly what I've been trying to learn how to do for years but was always too scared to do it myself. I can do this!!!

[echino]

Man, I'm VERY grateful for this video. My PC Timmy was starting to short out. Tried different cables, etc.
Found this video, and it took 30 minutes to disassemble and reassemble. Plugged it back in and it works again!
Glad to get it fixed before the gig this weekend!
Thanks a ton for this helpful video.

[dilups_Sergio]

Thank you so much. The best quality video I found here about this. I'll try to fix my Ibanez bass synth pedal. I cross my fingers 😂

[Skynova]

Fixed my Turbo Rat with this video. Thank you so much! Had to solder one of the cables as it was necessary in order to open the switch box.

Thanks again!

[marcosperoer]

gracias amigo, tu video si que me funciono mi ¨little big muff¨ no servia pero seguí tus pasos ya que tenia un sonido intermitente o a veces simplemente no emitía sonido y ahora esta como nuevo, gran video!!!!

[sirmoog]

Thank you so very much. Your video gave me the knowledge and confidence to open up my Go-Go tuner and realign the switch pin under the spring. Took a couple of tries but I kept at it and finally got it working after 6 years.

[fatboyfollies]

Got a new pedal. Bypass didn’t work. Followed this and one of the mini contact plates was skewed. Cleaned them and placed them correctly. Voila! Thanks!

[popsfereal]

Use a small bit of cloth, or even paper if you hold the switch by the threads! Loved the rest of the video. 😃

[thecruddybug]

Thanks for this video. Those MI Audio pedals are sick, btw. A place near me was going out of business and sold some of them off for like 20 bucks. I had no idea what they were at the time, but they're great.

[richieclark]

Great video! The crayon side of my EHX hot wax started bypassing the effect even though the light was on. This fixed it perfectly!

[lazybaker]

Amp footswitch saved from landfill. Thanks very much for this.

[Shmerpy]

Boom! Perfect timing. The 3rd cheapo footswitch just went on a pedal. I'll think I'll try and fix the switch now. Thanks muchly.