GKO777

Hi,

Today I removed the heater blower motor in my '63 as it was not working due to a missing connector on the motor. Cleaned it, repainted, installed connector and bench tested, all ok. In the engine bay still no 12v at the orange wire, as it turned out the connector was not plugged in in the heater switch... Plugged it in and all seems ok.

While I was there, I noticed these 2 sockets that are tied together. What is their purpose and where should I mount them?


Thanks,

G.

Frankie the Fink

63 heater ***** were NOT lit - not near my AIM but one of those is for ignition switch or cigarette lighter. Not sure about the other one.

GKO777

Thanks Frankie, I checked the AIM (c154) and you are right, the one with the plate attached seems to be the ignition light. However, I don't exactly see the screwhole in the instrument panel to mount it?



The lighter is not connected, so I suppose the socket attaches to the missing connector? (as far as I can see in the AIM o page c213)

rene-paul

My 2 cents, I just did that ignition switch light on my 63. I removed the ignition switch to get a better picture as to the location of the tapped hole for the attach screw. You will have to remove the key tumbler assy using the small hole on the tumbler with the key in place. Then you can remove the outer nut and drop the switch. You get extra points for using the AIM. Try and locate that wire for the lighter. It is HOT with the battery connected. Let us know how it goes.
Brgds,
Rene

mark6669

They look like the ignition and lighter sockets. The one with plate screws to the cluster for the ignition switch, I think it will only work with an original Delco switch. The lighter socket is missing the holder/shroud.
Mark

GKO777

Thanks Mark.
If you say 'it will only work with an original Delco switch', do you mean that with another switch the plate can't be screwed in, or do you mean that once installed, the light is only visible if you have the original switch? I heard from people that have a working ignition light (if they look under the dash), but can't see anything lit on the frontside around the key area.
So in other words, what is supposed to be the effect of this light?

Frankie the Fink

The effect of the light is so that at night you can pull your headlight switch to the first or second "lights on" position and a faint light will shine through the key slot so you can put your key in the ignition without gouging the dash with the key fishing for the slot. Same with cig lighter...the lighter well lights so you aren't pushing that hot device all over the place trying to find the housing well at night. Neither device will glow visibly like the dash lights with the key and lighter in place - by design.

The correct ignition switch is designed so the light on the housing is passed through and out the key slot.

GKO777

Ok thanks for the description Frankie, now I know what to expect from it First wait until that one little ignition switch lamp screw arrives from ZIP that is used nowhere else in this car

mark6669

The aftermarket switch's are threaded longer with a nut and washer that interferes with the light assembly. Some of them had a light provision like the 66-7 switch's.
Mark

GKO777

While waiting for the little screw to arrive, I already took a picture of my ignition switch. The 2 marked holes will allign when installed, so it appears (or I suppose) the light will shine through them...



Nobody will probably ever see this, but I really like these little details on our cars!

Frankie the Fink

Nice pic - it went in my tech library..

GKO777

Ok, I finally received the 'unique' little screw today


So I went under the dash and the metal plate with the ignition switch light was quickly attached to the back of the dash using this 'unicorn' screw.

And then the big test: lights out, switch in the off position, key out, headlight switch pulled, and... nothing

I saw the little light when I looked under the dash, but nothing shining through the key hole.

I tested again, but this time turned the key to the 'lock' position.
GREAT success! I almost needed sunglasses to protect my eyes from the abundance of light coming out of that little key hole!

I took a picture to prove this, can you see the light?



Ok, I may have exaggerated a little, but it really works, sort of...

Frankie the Fink

Its the idiosyncrasies of this car that makes them much beloved...

GKO777

I tested the cigarette lighter bulb socket with a new light and it still worked. So after receiving a new lighter bulb shield, I tried to 'clip' the bulb shield into the slots in the 'body' of the lighter today.

Frustrating job, not enough room to get your fingers around the shield and put the necessary force on it to press it and get it in the slots


For a moment I even thought about pulling the cluster a bit, but that turned out to be too much work.

I eventually loosened the 4 1/2" bolts that hold the steering column (after supporting the column).


By doing this, you can actually move that support back a bit, enough to get your fingers in and press the bulb shield in!


Success!