No Dimmer?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,117
Likes: 1,230
From: Madeira Beach, FL
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No Dimmer?
My 68 head light switch works as it should except when I try to dim dash lights.
It goes from complete bright to black when I turn it slightly clockwise.
Is it shot?
Thanks
Marshal
It goes from complete bright to black when I turn it slightly clockwise.
Is it shot?
Thanks
Marshal
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 766
Likes: 97
From: Lake Norman, NC
Headlight Dimmer Switch
Guys, before you go forward and replace what may be an original headlight dimmer switch, beware. I have had trouble and have talked to and read about others that have been VERY disappointed with the reproduction/aftermarket switches. My personal experience had me getting 3 new ones before I got a good one. The vendor was very obliging and helpful, semmingly knowing this was somewhat common. It's my opinion that original switches are of much higher quality.
Before you invest in a new part, you might consider removing your switch from the dash (be ready for some scraped up hands if you don't pull the dash pad completely out) and giving the rheostat coil a good cleaning with electrical contact cleaner. It does work, at least in some cases. I've seen where a rheostat sits "unexercised" for such a long period of time that the elctrical contacts oxidize, which eventually inhibits its ability to make contact.
Hope this helps!
Before you invest in a new part, you might consider removing your switch from the dash (be ready for some scraped up hands if you don't pull the dash pad completely out) and giving the rheostat coil a good cleaning with electrical contact cleaner. It does work, at least in some cases. I've seen where a rheostat sits "unexercised" for such a long period of time that the elctrical contacts oxidize, which eventually inhibits its ability to make contact.
Hope this helps!
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,117
Likes: 1,230
From: Madeira Beach, FL
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Thanks everyone!
I figured it was like the dimmer switch in the house just goes bad.
I'll try and clean it up before I replace.
I have notice some not all replacement parts are not what the originals were. I think the rubber products have superior quality compared to 44 yrs ago but the plastics on the other hand have gone in the opposite direction.
Marshal
I figured it was like the dimmer switch in the house just goes bad.
I'll try and clean it up before I replace.
I have notice some not all replacement parts are not what the originals were. I think the rubber products have superior quality compared to 44 yrs ago but the plastics on the other hand have gone in the opposite direction.
Marshal
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
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From: Dayton, Ohio
The rheostat is the spring looking thing in this pic that is burned 2. As is said above if the contact between the spring thing and the contact shoe is dirty,cleaning might help. (ignore the yellow lines)
Another quick note,if you can find a NOS Delco standard headlight switch , its possible to transfer the metal top plate with the vacuum valve.
Another quick note,if you can find a NOS Delco standard headlight switch , its possible to transfer the metal top plate with the vacuum valve.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,117
Likes: 1,230
From: Madeira Beach, FL
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Roger,
Thanks for the pic.
That one looks like toast
Mine is either full bright or a slight turn clockwise and instant darkness.
I presume the spring coil has a break or burnt spot just before full strength. I still have my dome lamp position just nothing south of full bright.
RedRdster thanks for the repair tip. I figure it can't hurt to try and fix it first.
Can I still get an OEM style switch with vac port? ' 68 year
Marshal
Thanks for the pic.
That one looks like toast
Mine is either full bright or a slight turn clockwise and instant darkness.
I presume the spring coil has a break or burnt spot just before full strength. I still have my dome lamp position just nothing south of full bright.
RedRdster thanks for the repair tip. I figure it can't hurt to try and fix it first.
Can I still get an OEM style switch with vac port? ' 68 year
Marshal
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
Roger,
Thanks for the pic.
That one looks like toast
Mine is either full bright or a slight turn clockwise and instant darkness.
I presume the spring coil has a break or burnt spot just before full strength. I still have my dome lamp position just nothing south of full bright.
RedRdster thanks for the repair tip. I figure it can't hurt to try and fix it first.
Can I still get an OEM style switch with vac port? ' 68 year
Marshal
Thanks for the pic.
That one looks like toast
Mine is either full bright or a slight turn clockwise and instant darkness.
I presume the spring coil has a break or burnt spot just before full strength. I still have my dome lamp position just nothing south of full bright.
RedRdster thanks for the repair tip. I figure it can't hurt to try and fix it first.
Can I still get an OEM style switch with vac port? ' 68 year
Marshal
The local auto parts stores will have the same switches but without the vacuum ports. And like Roger said, you can transfer over the plate from your existing switch to a new switch - but you need to modify the new switch a little, pretty easy with a dremel.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 504
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
My 68 would burn the wire coil in two at the end. After changing a few, I used a heavy piece of strip copper to bridge the contacts on top and have only full brightness. It is no fun changing the headlight switch.