Garbage Headlight Switch
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 76
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From: burlington wi
Garbage Headlight Switch
I recently installed a new headlight switch to cure my dim dashlight scenario. The fix was great. But now a week or so later, bingo, no headlights. They raise and lower fine, but no lights! It appears the cheap Taiwan Mid America junk switch fell apart. One of the terminals actually fell off. Now, when I installed it, the wire harness was very taunt, no slack. But I was more than careful plugging the switch to the harness. Has anyone else had any problems plugging one of these up? It shouldnt be that tough!!! RRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
A friend of mine recently bought a switch from the Chevy dealer and one from Autozone. The switch from Autozone has Made In USA stamped on it, the one from the Chevy dealer has Made In Taiwan on it.
Figures........
Figures........
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,128
Likes: 3
From: Deltona (son of Deland and DAYTONA) FL
here is the Autozone link. It asks for zip, I used mine =33990. Don't think that should matter.
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...%2480154%24PPP
If available from NAPA, I'd go with that one.
http://www.napaonline.com/masterpage...adlight+Switch
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...%2480154%24PPP
If available from NAPA, I'd go with that one.
http://www.napaonline.com/masterpage...adlight+Switch
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,891
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From: Baltimore MD
Originally Posted by cherrybomb78
I appreciate the link, but same thing, not available. I was really excited to possibly find one made in USA.
Item MPE HL6613SB $11.49
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: burlington wi
Yes, I went to pick one up #MPE HL6613SB and it does not have the vacuum provisions for our headlights, it's for the olds & buicks. Napa claims it's aftermarket only for the Vettes !! I did however find one at a Chevy dealer, not a Delco (no longer available) but a GM approved manufacturer $59.99. We'll see how this works.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,173
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From: Paducah Ky
I was way to quick to replace worn parts with new ones in my rebuild project. I haven't done anything like this before and I was really shocked to find that most of the parts available are junk and require some degree of modifications or repairs before they are usable. Mid Am is not the only one pushing this stuff. My biggest disappointments have come from Corvette America interior parts. 
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: burlington wi
Irish Joker,
Now I know why they call you the Joker, real funny. NAPA has nothitng for our C3's !! Period.
The HL6613SB has no vacuum ports for the hideaway headlights.
Now I know why they call you the Joker, real funny. NAPA has nothitng for our C3's !! Period.
The HL6613SB has no vacuum ports for the hideaway headlights.
Last edited by cherrybomb78; Aug 21, 2006 at 01:05 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
The headlight switch is not easy to replace either... And each time you replace it, you run the risk of ruining a $400+ dash board.
I know some may really hate me saying it, but Doc Rebuild has had high quality parts.
I know some may really hate me saying it, but Doc Rebuild has had high quality parts.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 499
Likes: 1
From: Winnipeg Manitoba
Originally Posted by cherrybomb78
Irish Joker,
Now I know why they call you the Joker, real funny. NAPA has nothitng for our C3's !! Period.
The HL6613SB has no vacuum ports for the hideaway headlights.
Now I know why they call you the Joker, real funny. NAPA has nothitng for our C3's !! Period.
The HL6613SB has no vacuum ports for the hideaway headlights.
Well, I went to 6 places in vain looking for a headlight switch for a 76 Corvette.
I gave up. I bought one for a 76 camaro and merged the two. (In stock!)
Took the metal housing with the vacuum switch off the Vette switch, and stuck it the new one.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 499
Likes: 1
From: Winnipeg Manitoba
Originally Posted by VolVette
The headlight switch is not easy to replace either... And each time you replace it, you run the risk of ruining a $400+ dash board.
Prop the door open, drop the steering column and the instrument cluster and you can sneak the head light switch out the side.
Saves a bit of time, and risk to the dash panel.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 7
From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by Kilroy1024
The headlight switch can be changed without pulling out the top of the dash, which means you don't need to pull out all the window trim.
Prop the door open, drop the steering column and the instrument cluster and you can sneak the head light switch out the side.
Saves a bit of time, and risk to the dash panel.
Prop the door open, drop the steering column and the instrument cluster and you can sneak the head light switch out the side.
Saves a bit of time, and risk to the dash panel.
Thats one place I dont want to visit again.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 499
Likes: 1
From: Winnipeg Manitoba
Originally Posted by Bob Onit
How do you manage to hook up all the vacuum lines..... I had a hell of a time getting behind the dash.
Hmm. I can't remember 100%.
I think I was able to get my hand into the gap and attach them with the headlight switch in place.