Dimmer switch on floor?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 620
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio TX
Dimmer switch on floor?
Well, I don't know how I've missed it all these years, even with a carpet replacement but....the other day I was messing around with some wiring issues and discovered that I have what appears to be a dimmer switch on my floor. It's wired in (I don't know where the wires terminate though) and it just sort of wierded me out. I would swear that it wasn't there before 
:o .
Anyway, do all C3's have this switch on the floorboard? Just curious why Chevy would continue to put them in after they went to the column mounted dimmer.
:o .Anyway, do all C3's have this switch on the floorboard? Just curious why Chevy would continue to put them in after they went to the column mounted dimmer.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
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From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
It's been there the day your car was assembled, and I assume all C3's have the foot operated dimmer switch. Maybe 81-82 are different.
Last edited by GDaina; Feb 15, 2006 at 01:25 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
1977 was the first year for the column mounted dimmers switch. For that one year only, the turn signal stalk also activated the windshield wipers. 1978 through 1982 had just the dimmer switch on the column.
Jim
Jim
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Hudson Falls, N.Y. 76 Vette Modified L-48
Here's the other side of the story....many (many) years ago, I had bought a "newer" car, and remember freakin' because I couldn't dim the lights with the floor switch, it wasn't even there on the floor!!!! 
Well, long story short...I eventually figured it out, but when I got the 76 vette last year and stretched out in it the first time and heard the "click" on the floor...I said, "ahhhh, now that's better....home again..."
Well, long story short...I eventually figured it out, but when I got the 76 vette last year and stretched out in it the first time and heard the "click" on the floor...I said, "ahhhh, now that's better....home again..."
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 620
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio TX
Yeah, I remember the first car I drove that had a stalk mounted dimmer switch, years ago. It took forever for me to figure it out! I think it was about that time that I actually started reading owners manuals!
I don't have a pic, but it's right where it should be, left side of foot well, just below the fuse box.
I just couldn't believe I had never noticed it before! Must be gettin old!
I don't have a pic, but it's right where it should be, left side of foot well, just below the fuse box.
I just couldn't believe I had never noticed it before! Must be gettin old!
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 9
From: staten island ny
When cars first made the change from floor mounted to turn signal mounted my friends and I used to install floor mounted switches and use them as an ignition cut off or anti theft device. At the time they looked normal and not out of place. Of course in todays world it would stick out like a sore thumb. They were simple to find , easy to operate and even the wives/girlfriends could do it. Trying to describe where you had hidden the toggle cut off behind the console or wherever was a PITA.
ESU
ESU
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Hudson Falls, N.Y. 76 Vette Modified L-48
...last post I was afraid to say I wished they never changed to colunm switching because I feared the "you old fart" thinking, but you're right ESU...even the women folk could grasp the theory (man, now I'm offending the women folk, geeeeeez 
)...wish it was like it was...
)...wish it was like it was...
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 9
From: staten island ny
Originally Posted by kb2fzq
Here's the other side of the story....many (many) years ago, I had bought a "newer" car, and remember freakin' because I couldn't dim the lights with the floor switch, it wasn't even there on the floor!!!!
Well, long story short...I eventually figured it out, but when I got the 76 vette last year and stretched out in it the first time and heard the "click" on the floor...I said, "ahhhh, now that's better....home again..."
Well, long story short...I eventually figured it out, but when I got the 76 vette last year and stretched out in it the first time and heard the "click" on the floor...I said, "ahhhh, now that's better....home again..."
ESU
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 9
From: staten island ny
Originally Posted by kb2fzq
...last post I was afraid to say I wished they never changed to colunm switching because I feared the "you old fart" thinking, but you're right ESU...even the women folk could grasp the theory (man, now I'm offending the women folk, geeeeeez )...wish it was like it was...
)...wish it was like it was... ESU
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Hudson Falls, N.Y. 76 Vette Modified L-48
Interesting....I had a Barracuda...hmmmmm....one of the older ones, had an incredibly HUGE/LONG rear window...65? 67?....well somewhere around there....you can't miss this one...I don't remember the bulb...might have been there and I never even knew it...
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Originally Posted by ESU
I'll do you one better. My first car back in the day was a 1973 Cuda. For months I couldnt figure out how to get the windshield washer to work. I pulled, twisted, turned, pushed , you name it but no luck. It had a reservoir under the hood so it must work somehow right? Well on the floorboard near the dimmer switch was a rubber bulb like on a turkey baster. Never noticed it before till I was under the dash one day. ANyway I start playin with it and I hear this swishin sound. I was like what the heck is that????? Anyway after finishing under the dash I get up and my windshiled was soakin wet with cleaner. You had to pump this bulb with your foot to get cleaner to spray up. The car had a/c and auto but no 3 dollar electric pump, go figure. On the plus side if you pumped really hard you could hit the car behind you, great for those annoying horn blowers.
ESU
ESU
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 9
From: staten island ny
Originally Posted by rihwoods
They used to sell those years ago as a kit for cars without window washers at Pep Boys...
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Perhapse due to my excessive height, and arthritis, I find moving my dimmer to the later column mount is a nice improvement, as eliminating that irritating bump in the floor glass, and moving the lower firewall forward about ~3" or so and lowering the brake and gas pedals, I have MUCH more leg room improving interior comfort a LOT, and this with stock seats and tired pads, I also lowered the seat...
GENE
GENE
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Appleton Wi.
When I bought my '76, I was driving home and positioning myself as I drove, when I heard the "click". Almost like it was totally hidden under the carpet. Then I noticed a pad molded into the carpet. Just thought it was a normal resting place for your foot with the pad to prevent it from wearing too fast. Stupid me.
TJ
TJ
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Originally Posted by cchristo
Well, I don't know how I've missed it all these years, even with a carpet replacement but....the other day I was messing around with some wiring issues and discovered that I have what appears to be a dimmer switch on my floor. It's wired in (I don't know where the wires terminate though) and it just sort of wierded me out. I would swear that it wasn't there before :o .
Anyway, do all C3's have this switch on the floorboard? Just curious why Chevy would continue to put them in after they went to the column mounted dimmer.
:o .Anyway, do all C3's have this switch on the floorboard? Just curious why Chevy would continue to put them in after they went to the column mounted dimmer.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
How did you switch from high to low beams??? Seems funny you could miss something like this. My 75 has the floor mounted dimmer switch.
hehehe....
You all country boys up there used to dodging moose and caribou at night NEED them high beams.....down in the civilized parts of the world, us SOUTHERN types don't need them so much....ALLWAYS an oncoming car....
GENE
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by mrvette
, I also lowered the seat...
GENE
GENE