Please help - removing headlight switch - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

62lwbc10 · 03-18-2013, 08:25 PM

Hey all, getting ready to re-wire the 58 and I have new headlight and ignition switches. can you please tell me how to remove the headlight switch from the dash? Im told there is a very specific way to pull out the switch handle, and im also not sure how to remove the body of the switch itself from the dash. THanks alot.

Also regarding the brand new switch, Im again told there is a correct way to remove the pull from the switch body. Im told if you do it wrong you can really mess up the switch. ANyone with experience, can you please school me a little bit on this topic?

THanks,
Mark

**CHIZZLER** · 03-18-2013, 08:42 PM

the headlight switch on the body has a small button on it.when pushed in it will release the shaft.

Clarance J · 03-18-2013, 08:56 PM

Hey Mark. The way the knob comes out of the switch is not to difficult. So heres the trick. You have to reach under the dash and get ahold of the switch itself. On top of the switch you will feel a little botton which you press down to release the pull knob. Sometimes that little botton gets stuck. Just keep at it. When you feel it go down pull the knob out of the switch. Now you can take the switch face off with a screw driver or something similar from the front while holding the switch under the dash.

**CHIZZLER** · 03-18-2013, 08:59 PM

here is a pic i just took of a old switch.you can see the button.to remove the shaft pull out the shaft till lights would be on then push in the button on the switch.this will release the shaft.to remove the switch you need to loosen the chrome piece on the dash.if it is slotted use a large flat head.if it is not hold the switch in one hand and try and rotate with the other hand on the button.good luck.

62lwbc10 · 03-18-2013, 09:39 PM

Thanks alot for the tips guys. Can you tell me how to insert the pull into the new switch once I have the new switch installed in the dash? Do I need to use the button to install the new pull? THanks alot. Like I said, someone told me that you have to be careful when removing/installing the pull or you can damage the switch.

THanks alot!

**G&R's57GMC** · 03-18-2013, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62lwbc10

Thanks alot for the tips guys. Can you tell me how to insert the pull into the new switch once I have the new switch installed in the dash? Do I need to use the button to install the new pull? THanks alot. Like I said, someone told me that you have to be careful when removing/installing the pull or you can damage the switch.

THanks alot!

Nope, Just push it in.

solidaxel · 03-18-2013, 10:59 PM

If you have a new switch, use it for practice

Clarance J · 03-18-2013, 11:58 PM

Hi Mark. Just a little more information. When you get the pull knob out look at the shaft. Three things to see. 1) the shaft is a triangle shape. That fits into the switch to control the dimming of the dash lights. 2) near the end of the shaft there is a notch that locks the pull into the switch. 3) the end is pointed so it can push the button to lock it into the notch. Hope this helps.

Clarance J · 03-19-2013, 02:02 AM

Hey Mark. In my eagerness to help I gave you incorrect information. Chizzler was right about pulling the pull out first to the on position then pushing the button on top. Sorry, it would never have come out the other way. Sorry about the confusion on my part.

_Ogre · 03-19-2013, 12:04 PM

i use the tips of a pair of needle nose pliers as a spanner wrench to remove the bezel from the dash

**mr48chev** · 03-19-2013, 12:46 PM

You probably already have it done but if not please disconnect the battery before attempting to take the switch out.

The guys did a good job of telling you how to remove it and put the knob back in.

oldcouple · 03-19-2013, 11:34 PM

A big washer fits that slot perfectly for removal.

03-18-2013, 08:25 PM	#1
62lwbc10 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Westchester, NY Posts: 394	Please help - removing headlight switch Hey all, getting ready to re-wire the 58 and I have new headlight and ignition switches. can you please tell me how to remove the headlight switch from the dash? Im told there is a very specific way to pull out the switch handle, and im also not sure how to remove the body of the switch itself from the dash. THanks alot. Also regarding the brand new switch, Im again told there is a correct way to remove the pull from the switch body. Im told if you do it wrong you can really mess up the switch. ANyone with experience, can you please school me a little bit on this topic? THanks, Mark

03-18-2013, 08:42 PM	#2
CHIZZLER SAVING ONE TRUCK AT A TIME Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: sherwood oregon Posts: 1,141	Re: Please help - removing headlight switch the headlight switch on the body has a small button on it.when pushed in it will release the shaft. __________________ 53-suburban (99% done) 40-pick up (99.9% done) 12-cc lb dually D-max (dd) 61-crew cab D-max "PAY LESS FOR WHAT YOU NEED PAY MORE FOR WHAT YOU WANT" 53 BURBAN BARN FIND:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=404091 1940 PROJECT MOON SHINE:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=551088 1961 CREW MAX: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=6957999

03-18-2013, 08:56 PM	#3
Clarance J Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Grants Pass Oregon Posts: 474	Re: Please help - removing headlight switch Hey Mark. The way the knob comes out of the switch is not to difficult. So heres the trick. You have to reach under the dash and get ahold of the switch itself. On top of the switch you will feel a little botton which you press down to release the pull knob. Sometimes that little botton gets stuck. Just keep at it. When you feel it go down pull the knob out of the switch. Now you can take the switch face off with a screw driver or something similar from the front while holding the switch under the dash. __________________ You have to have patiences or you'll be one.

03-18-2013, 08:59 PM	#4
CHIZZLER SAVING ONE TRUCK AT A TIME Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: sherwood oregon Posts: 1,141	Re: Please help - removing headlight switch here is a pic i just took of a old switch.you can see the button.to remove the shaft pull out the shaft till lights would be on then push in the button on the switch.this will release the shaft.to remove the switch you need to loosen the chrome piece on the dash.if it is slotted use a large flat head.if it is not hold the switch in one hand and try and rotate with the other hand on the button.good luck. Attached Images __________________ 53-suburban (99% done) 40-pick up (99.9% done) 12-cc lb dually D-max (dd) 61-crew cab D-max "PAY LESS FOR WHAT YOU NEED PAY MORE FOR WHAT YOU WANT" 53 BURBAN BARN FIND:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=404091 1940 PROJECT MOON SHINE:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=551088 1961 CREW MAX: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=6957999

03-18-2013, 09:39 PM	#5
62lwbc10 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Westchester, NY Posts: 394	Re: Please help - removing headlight switch Thanks alot for the tips guys. Can you tell me how to insert the pull into the new switch once I have the new switch installed in the dash? Do I need to use the button to install the new pull? THanks alot. Like I said, someone told me that you have to be careful when removing/installing the pull or you can damage the switch. THanks alot!

03-18-2013, 10:59 PM	#7
solidaxel Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cactus Patch So. Az Posts: 4,749	Re: Please help - removing headlight switch If you have a new switch, use it for practice __________________ 53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42

03-18-2013, 11:58 PM	#8
Clarance J Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Grants Pass Oregon Posts: 474	Re: Please help - removing headlight switch Hi Mark. Just a little more information. When you get the pull knob out look at the shaft. Three things to see. 1) the shaft is a triangle shape. That fits into the switch to control the dimming of the dash lights. 2) near the end of the shaft there is a notch that locks the pull into the switch. 3) the end is pointed so it can push the button to lock it into the notch. Hope this helps. __________________ You have to have patiences or you'll be one.

03-19-2013, 02:02 AM	#9
Clarance J Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Grants Pass Oregon Posts: 474	Re: Please help - removing headlight switch Hey Mark. In my eagerness to help I gave you incorrect information. Chizzler was right about pulling the pull out first to the on position then pushing the button on top. Sorry, it would never have come out the other way. Sorry about the confusion on my part. __________________ You have to have patiences or you'll be one.

03-19-2013, 12:04 PM	#10
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,680	Re: Please help - removing headlight switch i use the tips of a pair of needle nose pliers as a spanner wrench to remove the bezel from the dash __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

03-19-2013, 12:46 PM	#11
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,711	Re: Please help - removing headlight switch You probably already have it done but if not please disconnect the battery before attempting to take the switch out. The guys did a good job of telling you how to remove it and put the knob back in. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

03-19-2013, 11:34 PM	#12
oldcouple Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Winlock Wa Posts: 584	Re: Please help - removing headlight switch A big washer fits that slot perfectly for removal. Attached Images __________________ Retired and too busy to work.



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