Headlight Knob Question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 307
Likes: 4
From: Thousand Oaks Calif.
Headlight **** Question
A few questions about my headlight switch. For some time, if I pull my headlight **** out it comes all the way out, it's no longer attached to anything but my hand.
It didn't bother me so much, and I just worked with it. For the past few weeks, I've noticed that my interior lights go on and off and I worried that it was going to take me a while to find the short. Well, I got lucky, it's the headlight switch. I rattle it around, and the lights go on and off.
When I go looking to buy a new one, I noticed that the **** comes separately from the switch.
I can assume then I can just buy the switch but how/what do I need to make sure that I can resolve the issue with the **** not coming all the way out?
It didn't bother me so much, and I just worked with it. For the past few weeks, I've noticed that my interior lights go on and off and I worried that it was going to take me a while to find the short. Well, I got lucky, it's the headlight switch. I rattle it around, and the lights go on and off.
When I go looking to buy a new one, I noticed that the **** comes separately from the switch.
I can assume then I can just buy the switch but how/what do I need to make sure that I can resolve the issue with the **** not coming all the way out?
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,140
Likes: 4,248
From: US-PNW
There is a "catch" inside the switch that is supposed to keep the shaft from coming all the way out. If one wanted to pull the shaft from the switch there is a spring-loaded pushpin to release it. Your old switch may have the catch sticking and not engaging the notch in the shaft or is just worn out. The old shaft should just slide into the new switch and engage the catch.
Before ordering a new switch, it wouldn't hurt to pull out the old one, clean it up and maybe see if the catch is gummy. Electronics cleaner spray is safe to use. (New repro switches are often reported to be inferior to functioning originals.) Post a pic of the shaft too - someone may spot an issue with the notch itself.
Before ordering a new switch, it wouldn't hurt to pull out the old one, clean it up and maybe see if the catch is gummy. Electronics cleaner spray is safe to use. (New repro switches are often reported to be inferior to functioning originals.) Post a pic of the shaft too - someone may spot an issue with the notch itself.
