Is my new headlight switch bad?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 156
Likes: 12
From: Arkansas
Is my new headlight switch bad?
I recently had my dash out doing some improvements. And installed a new headlight switch. Now my headlights go off and on intermittently. Tail lights work fine, no blinking. But when I turn switch to interior lights, it blows tail light fuse. I’d like some input from some others before I take the dash back out. Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
New switches are ****. I went through three of them until I gave up and "rebuilt" my old one. All that was the matter with my old one was the interior light dimmers rheostat was broken right where it would turn on the interior lights. I took it apart and swapped in the rheostat from the new one to the old guts. Cleaned and lubed the internal contacts and it works like new.
Threw the rest of the Chinese junk in the garbage.
Threw the rest of the Chinese junk in the garbage.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 520
From: McClellandtown, Pa.
I had the same trouble a few years ago when I was having your same problem. Tried new switch and it did the same thing. There is a breaker built into them that cuts out when the circuit heats up thus causing the lights to cut out and come on. Scary feeling at night let me tell ya!
That seems to be the defect in most of them.So, I found an OEM one online installed it and it's been fine. After that, I bought a couple more OEM used switches on line and tested them before I put my dash back together. Now I have good working original Delco Remy extras
( None for sale!)Tooch
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 414
Likes: 55
From: Humboldt county Ca
The AC Delco switches are still available online. I just ordered one for $29.95. Just for what it's worth.
I hope they really are Delco and not a re-packaged off shore switch. I hate dashboard work!
Stump
I hope they really are Delco and not a re-packaged off shore switch. I hate dashboard work!
Stump
Last edited by stumpshot; Dec 12, 2017 at 11:10 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
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From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
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Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
It's not a delco switch, the last part number on the delco switch was D1542 or the GM long number 1995191, both of which have been discontinued. Now, just like the reproduction gauges that are available (and imported) it's possible someone is making this in the delco marked box but I'm not aware of any vendor doing it at this moment. If they are I can assure you it's made in China. If it's the OER brand, it's imported.
You might google the old GM part number and see if you can turn something up. I did check and there is a NOS switch on eBay right now for 146.97.
Willcox
You might google the old GM part number and see if you can turn something up. I did check and there is a NOS switch on eBay right now for 146.97.
Willcox
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
It's not a delco switch, the last part number on the delco switch was D1542 or the GM long number 1995191, both of which have been discontinued. Now, just like the reproduction gauges that are available (and imported) it's possible someone is making this in the delco marked box but I'm not aware of any vendor doing it at this moment. If they are I can assure you it's made in China. If it's the OER brand, it's imported.
You might google the old GM part number and see if you can turn something up. I did check and there is a NOS switch on eBay right now for 146.97.
Willcox
You might google the old GM part number and see if you can turn something up. I did check and there is a NOS switch on eBay right now for 146.97.
Willcox
Interest. Not 150 worth though.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I've only had 1 issue with our switches in the last year and that was recently. I'm waiting for this switch to be returned but the issue wasn't vacuum, the customer couldn't get the **** to stay in. I tracked it and I think the UPS monsters are at it again because it should have been here five days ago and it's still not here.
Willcox
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
Ernie,
I can say...and hopefully you might agree with me. I have installed MANY headlight switches that when I take the **** and put it into the switch with the switch NOT installed in teh dash panel...it works perfectly. But for some odd reason..when I install the headlight switch in the dash...it just will not go in and 'lock' in place.
And what I have found is that I need to tweak the switch a little bit and then the rod for the **** goes in without any problems.
DUB
I can say...and hopefully you might agree with me. I have installed MANY headlight switches that when I take the **** and put it into the switch with the switch NOT installed in teh dash panel...it works perfectly. But for some odd reason..when I install the headlight switch in the dash...it just will not go in and 'lock' in place.
And what I have found is that I need to tweak the switch a little bit and then the rod for the **** goes in without any problems.
DUB
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 83
Likes: 8
From: St Augustine FL
Ernie,
I can say...and hopefully you might agree with me. I have installed MANY headlight switches that when I take the **** and put it into the switch with the switch NOT installed in teh dash panel...it works perfectly. But for some odd reason..when I install the headlight switch in the dash...it just will not go in and 'lock' in place.
And what I have found is that I need to tweak the switch a little bit and then the rod for the **** goes in without any problems.
DUB
I can say...and hopefully you might agree with me. I have installed MANY headlight switches that when I take the **** and put it into the switch with the switch NOT installed in teh dash panel...it works perfectly. But for some odd reason..when I install the headlight switch in the dash...it just will not go in and 'lock' in place.
And what I have found is that I need to tweak the switch a little bit and then the rod for the **** goes in without any problems.
DUB
I have a similar issue with new switch and new **** not locking.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 414
Likes: 55
From: Humboldt county Ca
The number for the Delco switch I ordered is D6252D so offshore apparently. This the car is not stock, if this switch is crap, I'll replace it with a non vac and use the override to raise and lower the lights. No chance I'm paying 147 bucks for a light switch.
Stump
Stump
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Ernie,
I can say...and hopefully you might agree with me. I have installed MANY headlight switches that when I take the **** and put it into the switch with the switch NOT installed in teh dash panel...it works perfectly. But for some odd reason..when I install the headlight switch in the dash...it just will not go in and 'lock' in place.
And what I have found is that I need to tweak the switch a little bit and then the rod for the **** goes in without any problems.
DUB
I can say...and hopefully you might agree with me. I have installed MANY headlight switches that when I take the **** and put it into the switch with the switch NOT installed in teh dash panel...it works perfectly. But for some odd reason..when I install the headlight switch in the dash...it just will not go in and 'lock' in place.
And what I have found is that I need to tweak the switch a little bit and then the rod for the **** goes in without any problems.
DUB
Upon first attempt, I always just flicked the button a few times and it always seemed to grab hold of the rod. Sometimes tweaking the forward bracket a tiny bit would help the rod alignment and catch the rod.
Ernie
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 251
Likes: 33
Doc rebuild has what is claimed to be a US build head lamp switch for $75. See link below. While the cheap imported switch sells for $25-40, $75 for a US switch sounds good.
http://shop.docrebuild.com/1968-1977...GM1995191.aspx
I don't know that the switch is still available or not but this seems like it would be worth the money if still available. Just pulled the link. Lots of luck, Russ
http://shop.docrebuild.com/1968-1977...GM1995191.aspx
I don't know that the switch is still available or not but this seems like it would be worth the money if still available. Just pulled the link. Lots of luck, Russ
Last edited by rberman999; Dec 12, 2017 at 08:56 PM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
This switch is the earlier passenger car, Camaro style switch that doesn't have the vacuum attachment made on it for the operation of the headlamps. So it'll work and fit your car, you'll just have to by-pass the vacuum from the switch to the over-ride below the column.
Willcox
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 414
Likes: 55
From: Humboldt county Ca
D6252D is still a good Delco part number but it's not a Corvette Switch. Borg makes this same switch (a bit cheaper) so does a few other nationally manufacturers (also a bit cheaper) and importers.... but it's not a Corvette switch and will not operate your headlamps.
This switch is the earlier passenger car, Camaro style switch that doesn't have the vacuum attachment made on it for the operation of the headlamps. So it'll work and fit your car, you'll just have to by-pass the vacuum from the switch to the over-ride below the column.
Willcox
This switch is the earlier passenger car, Camaro style switch that doesn't have the vacuum attachment made on it for the operation of the headlamps. So it'll work and fit your car, you'll just have to by-pass the vacuum from the switch to the over-ride below the column.
Willcox
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 156
Likes: 12
From: Arkansas
You have to watch ebay too, it's full of switches that don't have a vacuum switch on them.
I've only had 1 issue with our switches in the last year and that was recently. I'm waiting for this switch to be returned but the issue wasn't vacuum, the customer couldn't get the **** to stay in. I tracked it and I think the UPS monsters are at it again because it should have been here five days ago and it's still not here.
Willcox
I've only had 1 issue with our switches in the last year and that was recently. I'm waiting for this switch to be returned but the issue wasn't vacuum, the customer couldn't get the **** to stay in. I tracked it and I think the UPS monsters are at it again because it should have been here five days ago and it's still not here.
Willcox