C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Relocating High Beam Switch

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 6, 2016 | 11:46 AM
  #1  
Whisperhead's Avatar
Whisperhead
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Northampton England (UK)
Default Relocating High Beam Switch

Hello again all - I have another question (or more of an idea at this stage).

My high beam doesn't work (pulling the indicator stalk towards me has no effect, and no resistance felt), and I understand this is because either the plastic rod that activates it has moved/snapped, or the switch may be faulty.

My idea is to move this switch (or replace it with a toggle/2-pole switch) to a location on the dashboard instead of trying to repair the problem inside the stalk, which having read a little around the repair seems to be a right pain in the backside.

Has anyone here done this? Can anyone offer any advice on the procedure? I'm hoping I could use a simple toggle switch mounted in the dash plate and simply move the existing wiring to this new dash switch, and then activate the lights as required when driving.

I've not done any electrical work like this before and would appreciate your input ladies and gents

Thanks again!
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2016 | 01:27 PM
  #2  
383vett's Avatar
383vett
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,698
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Default

A service manual will have the complete wiring diagram of the whole car. You should be able to locate the high beam wires going into the steering column and intercept them for your switch.
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2016 | 01:30 PM
  #3  
Tom400CFI's Avatar
Tom400CFI
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Default

Put back down on the floor, where it belongs.
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2016 | 06:13 PM
  #4  
skyhawk50's Avatar
skyhawk50
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 767
Likes: 95
From: Central Pennsylvania
Default

Do you have a worn tilt steering column. Just about every C4 I bought had a loose column, do to PO's using the wheel to dismount the car. This looseness changes the angle of the rod that goes to the switch. I drove one car for a year, pulling down on the column to activate the high beams. The switch is not realy that bad to correct. I believe that a floor mounted switch would be a pain. I've got barely enough room there now for both feet.

Last edited by skyhawk50; Dec 6, 2016 at 06:14 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2016 | 06:39 PM
  #5  
gerardvg's Avatar
gerardvg
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,745
Likes: 275
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Default

Originally Posted by Whisperhead
Hello again all - I have another question (or more of an idea at this stage).

My high beam doesn't work (pulling the indicator stalk towards me has no effect, and no resistance felt), and I understand this is because either the plastic rod that activates it has moved/snapped, or the switch may be faulty.

My idea is to move this switch (or replace it with a toggle/2-pole switch) to a location on the dashboard instead of trying to repair the problem inside the stalk, which having read a little around the repair seems to be a right pain in the backside.

Has anyone here done this? Can anyone offer any advice on the procedure? I'm hoping I could use a simple toggle switch mounted in the dash plate and simply move the existing wiring to this new dash switch, and then activate the lights as required when driving.

I've not done any electrical work like this before and would appreciate your input ladies and gents

Thanks again!
Hi What year?

On my 85 its a metal rod from the stalk to the high beam switch on steering column under the dash, easy for it to get loose and the rod to pop out of the switch.

Maybe remove the hush pad under column and have a look?
should be a simple refit the rod into switch and tighten screws, or replace the high beam switch on the column.

Why waste time / molest the car by retrofitting something else?
The factory high beam switch and rod has never failed on my 85...
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2016 | 07:45 PM
  #6  
WVZR-1's Avatar
WVZR-1
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,366
Likes: 2,733
Default

OP - you asked questions regarding coolant for a '94 earlier so Id think it certainly more advisable and likely easier to attempt diagnosis of "what's really wrong"!! Have you or anyone else done any repairs to the column or been under the dash recently? Is there any other functions of the column that maybe don't function well or don't? Directionals etc?

If perhaps it's the switch on the column it's a very straight forward replacement. Dimmer actuator in upper column certainly more difficult and your location certainly might be a hindrance.

If you remove the hush panel from the driver side and a single reinforcement the dimmer becomes quite accessible for diagnostics.

The second snapshot in this link shows the dimmer (in white) and if when you pull towards you the rod to the switch doesn't move the upper column failure is more likely. If the rod has fallen out of the switch or the switch is loose and not secure maybe it's very easy. Can you trigger the dimmer by moving the rod?

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...pictorial.html

There are comments through that thread that could be interesting. I've not ever read the thread in it's entirety because I understand the column but if you look/read/check appropriately I'd think you could maybe decide if you can tackle the diagnostics.

Do you have the FSN (Factory Service Manual) for your car? Actually for the dimmer pivot etc there's likely threads that can help maybe better.

Moving the dimmer function - I wouldn't but maybe if you've no concerns. Do you require any safety inspections where it could become a requirement?

A better read for the upper actuator and pivot explanation maybe

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-actuator.html

Last edited by WVZR-1; Dec 6, 2016 at 07:49 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2016 | 12:21 PM
  #7  
Whisperhead's Avatar
Whisperhead
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Northampton England (UK)
Default

Hi What year?
Sorry, yeah, forgot about that bit! It's a 1994 LT1.

It has a fair amount of play downwards/leftwards so its been used as a support for someone getting out for sure.

you asked questions regarding coolant for a '94 earlier so Id think it certainly more advisable and likely easier to attempt diagnosis of "what's really wrong"!!
Not sure I understand what you mean here WVZR-1? Ive only just acquired the car and am still learning, it's my first American car so it's all a bit new to me. Sorry if I appear a little dim!
Thank you for the links though, it certainly helps to see photos of the dismantling and rebuilding procedure. I'm going through them at the moment.

I don't have a FSM yet, and over here they're sitting in the £200/$250 region and with Christmas right around the corner I'm having to wait until the new year to get a copy. Haven't had a chance to browse the "For Sale" section here on the forum yet however, so will do that too

We have a yearly roadworthiness test here in the UK, and it's not legal to use on the roads if it does not have a valid MOT certificate. Mine is due in April, so plenty of time to sort the little issues. I understand there is a similar procedure/check in some states over there?

Ill have a look under the panel and get a better idea of what is going on. Thanks all so far for your input
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2016 | 09:36 PM
  #8  
VikingTrad3r's Avatar
VikingTrad3r
Oil Producer
Supporting Gold
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,363
Likes: 2,734
Default

repair it to oem stock.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Relocating High Beam Switch

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:42 PM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE