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original headlight switch rebuild?

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Old Jun 8, 2017 | 02:38 PM
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Default original headlight switch rebuild?

Hi not testing out well with my old headlight switch vacum any body ever open one up any fix the loss of vacum? Thanks,Tim NY.
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Old Jun 8, 2017 | 02:41 PM
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The vacuum switch just attaches to an otherwise standard part used in millions of cars. The vacuum portion of my replacement switch (the dimmer rheostat in the original was burned in half) literally fell apart. I was able to put it back together better than new. It's a very simple mechanism held together with little metal tabs that may well have come loose causing the vacuum leak.

Last edited by SwampeastMike; Jun 8, 2017 at 02:42 PM.
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Old Jun 8, 2017 | 02:47 PM
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Hi bp,
I had some success using a small amount of rtv to seal the vacuum portion of the switch on my 71.
I guess it depends on just what part of the vacuum section of the switch has failed as to how successful you'll be.
Worth a try!
Regards,
Alan
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Old Jun 8, 2017 | 03:11 PM
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Default switch

Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi bp,
I had some success using a small amount of rtv to seal the vacuum portion of the switch on my 71.
I guess it depends on just what part of the vacuum section of the switch has failed as to how successful you'll be.
Worth a try!
Regards,
Alan
S0 i just get it on the bench and seperate the vacum portion from the rest of the switch and figure it out?

Last edited by Babypig; Jun 8, 2017 at 03:11 PM.
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Old Jun 8, 2017 | 03:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Babypig
S0 i just get it on the bench and seperate the vacum portion from the rest of the switch and figure it out?
Yes.

If you've never removed one of these switches the trick is finding the release button for the switch shaft. It's on the top of the switch behind (towards the rear of the car) the vacuum switch. It's a little metal button about 3/16" in diameter and it's directly in line with the switch shaft. Pull the switch out to "PARK" press the button and pull to remove the shaft. Replace by simply pushing the shaft all the way in.
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Old Jun 8, 2017 | 04:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Babypig
Hi not testing out well with my old headlight switch vacum any body ever open one up any fix the loss of vacum? Thanks,Tim NY.
Tim.. We used to mess with the switches when GM discontinued them and there wasn't a reproduction. And while it can be rebuilt both the electrical portion and the vacuum side, to me... time is money. You can buy a reproduction pretty cheap and the success rate of the newest reproduction switches has been awesome.

The earlier production switches had issues, but the current batch is running pretty flawless.

IMHO,

Willcox
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