Changing a head light switch on an 80 corvette
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 176
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From: Revere Massachusetts
Changing a head light switch on an 80 corvette
Can some one tell me howe to change a head light switch on an 80. I have removed the driver side AC vent to het a better look at it but I still can not figure it out.
Thanks Joe.
Thanks Joe.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,046
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From: Wichita KS
I say "supposed" because I have to "fiddle" with my switch to get it to release the shaft.
Page 8B-11 of the 1980 Shop Manual has a section on removing the switch.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Revere Massachusetts
Ostensibly there is a small (1/4") silver release button on the bottom of the headlight switch under the dash. There is a small spring on the shaft that keeps the button out. If you depress the silver button and pull out the headlight switch the headlight switch (**** and triangular shaft) is supposed to come out. This will allow you to unscrew the headlamp switch and remove it.
I say "supposed" because I have to "fiddle" with my switch to get it to release the shaft.
Page 8B-11 of the 1980 Shop Manual has a section on removing the switch.
I say "supposed" because I have to "fiddle" with my switch to get it to release the shaft.
Page 8B-11 of the 1980 Shop Manual has a section on removing the switch.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,622
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From: Russell Ontario
St. Jude Donor '09
Mapman is bang on. No need to take the whole car apart, just the AC duct that goes under the colum, I think the switch has to be turn on before you push the small spring loaded button. Then just unscrew the nut on the inside of the car on the dash. Don't disconnect the wires till the switch is out,Ron
Last edited by RonR80; Feb 22, 2011 at 08:14 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Revere Massachusetts
Ron, I hope that it is the switch, I blow the 7.5 fuse when I turn the **** for the dash lights. I have looked in the parts catalogs and they show a switch with a restate I think that the restat is the dash lights. Let me know if I am wrong. !!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,622
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From: Russell Ontario
St. Jude Donor '09
Nope you are right , when you get yours out have a look at the "spring" it must be broken, and have a look at the wire connection make sure none are burnt, when I did mine the spring was broken and the interior lights would not work and the dash lights flickered. Is that all that you have having issues with, are all the gauges OK . Ron
Last edited by RonR80; Feb 22, 2011 at 01:22 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 176
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From: Revere Massachusetts
Ron, thanks for the info. All my gauges are working with the exception of the fuel guage. Wen I fill it up tit only goes to half full, I think it has something to do with the sender in the tank. Some day I'll pull it out and replace it. All other electrical works good.
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Chino CA
"Some" parts of the car are quite simple....some other not so much !
Use a photo hosting site (I use photobucket) and then you use the link they provide for each picture and paste that link into your post and it shows up....
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 233
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From: Monrovia Md
I just finished it myself, after I disassembled the old switch you can see that the switch needs to be fully pulled out BEFORE you push the little silver button. It will come right out if you do. I took the instrument cluster out -- PIA but the switch is pretty easy to get to when you do
Good luck
Good luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
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From: Aurora Ontario
I have had mine out a few times. You need to do it once to get good at it. For your first time I would remove the lense over the tach/speedo cluster. Loosen off the left side of the interior panel. Remove the screws that hold the interior panel in the door area. Gives you enough pry room to reach the harness a vaccim lines. I see you already dropped the vent....The button to release the shaft in easiest to reach from below.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Bloomfield Hills MI
Easy to check with an ohm-meter to see if the sender is giving the correct readings...mind you, as long as the last half of the gauge works (the important half!) why bother replacing it? I say this, yet I replaced mine, and probably doubled my fuel flow due to a 40YO filthy strain sock on the pickup.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Aurora Ontario
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Tuttle OK
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
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From: Aurora Ontario
Plug in a new one and see.
Or with the old one plugged in see if there is power to the coil
