Need Help With Headlight Switch
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 416
Likes: 4
From: Iron Mountain,Michigan
Need Help With Headlight Switch
Hello Fellow Vetteheads,I have to replace my headlight switch, the headlights work, the inside lights function works, however the rheostat part to lighten or darken the dash lights does not work and is very tough driving at night with a flashlight on the speedometer, that being said, last night I tried a dry run as I have not yet ordered the switch yet,after removing the dash cap I could not see how to remove the switch, is there a special tool for this? What am I missing? Does anyone have a past experience with this? Thank You All in Advance . 
Peter
Peter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 23,957
Likes: 174
From: South West - but north of Dayton, Ohio
Originally Posted by Bond007
Hello Fellow Vetteheads,I have to replace my headlight switch, the headlights work, the inside lights function works, however the rheostat part to lighten or darken the dash lights does not work and is very tough driving at night with a flashlight on the speedometer, that being said, last night I tried a dry run as I have not yet ordered the switch yet,after removing the dash cap I could not see how to remove the switch, is there a special tool for this? What am I missing? Does anyone have a past experience with this? Thank You All in Advance . Peter
Peter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
Originally Posted by Bond007
Hello Fellow Vetteheads,I have to replace my headlight switch, the headlights work, the inside lights function works, however the rheostat part to lighten or darken the dash lights does not work and is very tough driving at night with a flashlight on the speedometer, that being said, last night I tried a dry run as I have not yet ordered the switch yet,after removing the dash cap I could not see how to remove the switch, is there a special tool for this? What am I missing? Does anyone have a past experience with this? Thank You All in Advance . Peter
Peter1) Push the small silver button on the top of the switch and pull the headlight **** out.
2) Use a large regular head screw driver to separate the **** bezel (the one that reads "LIGHTS") from the switch behind it.
3) Be sure to note which vacuum hose is connected to the front and back ports because the order does make a difference.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 416
Likes: 4
From: Iron Mountain,Michigan
I removed the switch as per all your help and cleaned it with electronic cleaner still no functional rheostat response so from that I will assume the switch is worn out and requires repalcement. Thanks All Again
Peter
Peter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 5
From: Granbury, TX
Originally Posted by Bond007
I removed the switch as per all your help and cleaned it with electronic cleaner still no functional rheostat response so from that I will assume the switch is worn out and requires repalcement. Thanks All Again
Peter
Peter
I hope you don't mind if I tag on as I have the same problem. A more basic question, how do I remove the dash to access the light switch? Do I need to remove the console and the side panels I so carefully screwed in after replacing the carpet?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,575
Likes: 1
From: Tuttle OK
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
clint - I think you can reach it if you remove your A'C duct...being double jointed doesn't hurt either...
I know I've reached up and felt around mine checkin vacume hoses
I know I've reached up and felt around mine checkin vacume hoses
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 416
Likes: 4
From: Iron Mountain,Michigan
Clint I do not know what year your car is but you will have to remove the dash cap ,before you can do that you will have to remove your two pillar trim pads on each side of the windshield this wedges the dash cap at the corners after the pillar trim is off take the screws that hold the cap on and two screws on each side for the trim that goes to the floor under the pillar trim it will become apparent as you work through this.
Also if the speaker wires do not have connectors on them but are soldered on just lift the pad up and put something to hold it up you will have enough room to get at the switch I just did this 2 hours ago.Good luck you can do this. 
Peter
Also if the speaker wires do not have connectors on them but are soldered on just lift the pad up and put something to hold it up you will have enough room to get at the switch I just did this 2 hours ago.Good luck you can do this.
Peter
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,575
Likes: 1
From: Tuttle OK
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Originally Posted by Clint's C3
Oh, bummer. 
So, I have to take off the dash?
So, I have to take off the dash?I think that if I can't get it out from the bottom, I'll take the speedo and tack assy out. When I switched to a 140 speedometer, I could see the switch, if I remember corectly...
I'll know a little more soon....
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Murrells Inlet SC
Originally Posted by nhlgopens
Patience... you'll have all the tools. I had to drop the steering column down and <almost completely> remove the dash. Luckily it's located on the top left, so having to disconnect everything isn't necessary. Just the harness to the switch. It's not difficult .
It has been a number of years since I did this but as I remembeer I had to pull my center cousel also before I could remove the dash. I may be remembering wrong since I may have removed the center consel for another purpose.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,575
Likes: 1
From: Tuttle OK
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I poked around a little tonight..looks like the speedometer/tack cluster is all that needs to come out on '80 - -'82 ...either that or try pretzel it out from underneath......hope I'm correct.. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 5
From: Granbury, TX
I was checking it out last night. There is no top cap on my '82 but if I take off the vent duct I can reach under the dash and put my hand on the switch. But, I don't know if I can snake it down through that bird nest of wires and hoses to replace it. Has anyone else done this?
Thanks for the help guys.
Thanks for the help guys.