Headlight Switch: got it, but how to pull it? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

TomShilling · 03-30-2005, 06:46 PM

I can reach the headlight switch in my 71, and I can feel the positioning of it, and I know the harness plugs into it from underneath...but how do I go about replacing it? Does the harness have a release button somewhere? Do I just pull on the harness to get it off the old switch? It seems as if the headlight switch is just attached to the pull knob on the dash and just hangs there... I know it has to be easy to replace, how 'bout some tech help here?

Thanks!

farside847 · 03-30-2005, 07:01 PM

Feel around the top of the switch behind the dash, there is a button on it that releases it.

TomShilling · 03-30-2005, 07:05 PM

when it is lowered pull the plug harnesses off of the assy? Then just re-attach to the stem of the pull-knob? Is that it? I can feel a button on the top of the assy, has a kind of spring on it, much like the button on the door that actuates the dome light in some cars...is that the release button?

**john** · 03-30-2005, 07:23 PM

Yes pull turn the lights on then push button and pull shaft out. Might want to disconnect tha batt. first. John

Hutch · 03-30-2005, 07:23 PM

TomShilling
Yes the one on the top with the spring.
Press down and pull the light switch out to the full extent.
It should come completely out.
You will want to disconnect the battery so as to not and run it down.

TomShilling · 03-30-2005, 07:45 PM

The headlight knob pulled right off, no problem,,,but I need to replace the headlight switch! It is still there, not sure how I am supposed to remove it! Any more tips?

**john** · 03-30-2005, 07:49 PM

You have to unscrew the bezel and when it is off there is another nut that holds the switch. You might have to use pliers on the bezel nut. John

farside847 · 03-30-2005, 08:30 PM

When I first got my truck, 100% of the dash bulbs were burnt out. Drove me nuts till I got new bulbs.

TomShilling · 03-30-2005, 08:36 PM

PLEASE don't tell me I have to pull the dash!! I don;t have a clue where to look for them, can you give me some guidance? How many and how to get at them?

Thanks again!

farside847 · 03-30-2005, 08:40 PM

You do not need to pull the dash, just the guage bezel.

cdowns · 03-30-2005, 09:26 PM

you just look up at the back of the instrument cluster and there's these little holder things ,plastic sort of rectangular grab betweem thumb and forefinger and twist 1/4 turn to remove and the light bulbs just push into those holders.
no need to temove dash or bezel

Old Dave · 03-30-2005, 09:26 PM

If you have skinny arms you can probably reach them from under the dash. I think there is about 7 or 8 of them. The sockets push in and turn about 1/4 turn. Surely somebody on this board has a picture of a dash out of a truck that they could show you.

70 shorty · 03-30-2005, 09:54 PM

You've already done half the work to pull the bezel. You'd have to take the headlight switch back out again, then the wiper knob needs to come off. It's held on by a very small set screw on the underside of the knob. Just back it out a little and the knob well come off. Then remove all the screws on the outside edge of the bezel, and then the metal cover under the steering column,(2 large phillips head screws. Finally the speedometer cable needs to be unscrewed from the back of the speedo, you can do this by feeling where it attaches to the speedo up under the dash, often a pair of channel locks is needed to loosen it, then I was able to pull my cluster out far enough to disconnect the wiring without having to do it from under the dash. Just unplug the connector and you're home free. It sounds long, but in reality once you see how it's done, it takes about 5 minutes.

TomShilling · 03-30-2005, 09:58 PM

Thanks guys. I will jump on it again tomorrow. It's gotta be the bulbs, and maybe a flasher is out. I appreciate all of the help!

Putter · 03-31-2005, 10:08 AM

Here is the back of a cluster. Those little black things are the bulb holders. Twist those 1/4 turn to release, then just pull it out. The bulb will push in (wedge type-no twisting for the bulb itself). Then just put it back in the hole and turn the black thing 1/4 turn the opposite way to install.

03-30-2005, 06:46 PM	#1
TomShilling Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 42	Headlight Switch: got it, but how to pull it? I can reach the headlight switch in my 71, and I can feel the positioning of it, and I know the harness plugs into it from underneath...but how do I go about replacing it? Does the harness have a release button somewhere? Do I just pull on the harness to get it off the old switch? It seems as if the headlight switch is just attached to the pull knob on the dash and just hangs there... I know it has to be easy to replace, how 'bout some tech help here? Thanks!

03-30-2005, 07:01 PM	#2
farside847 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 995	Feel around the top of the switch behind the dash, there is a button on it that releases it. __________________ 1971 Chevy C10 Shortbed Stepside, 307v8 3-on-the-tree

03-30-2005, 07:05 PM	#3
TomShilling Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 42	So I release the switch assy, and pull it down, then.. when it is lowered pull the plug harnesses off of the assy? Then just re-attach to the stem of the pull-knob? Is that it? I can feel a button on the top of the assy, has a kind of spring on it, much like the button on the door that actuates the dome light in some cars...is that the release button?

03-30-2005, 07:23 PM	#4
john member #16 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Yuba City Ca. Posts: 3,618	Yes pull turn the lights on then push button and pull shaft out. Might want to disconnect tha batt. first. John __________________ john http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showgroups.php board vendors http://www.flickr.com/photos/1745471...7602865984234/

03-30-2005, 07:23 PM	#5
Hutch Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Grapevine, Tx. Posts: 2,142	TomShilling Yes the one on the top with the spring. Press down and pull the light switch out to the full extent. It should come completely out. You will want to disconnect the battery so as to not and run it down. __________________ John Hutchison Grapevine,Texas 68 1/2 t swb 68 Mustang 69 Jaguar 71 1/2 t swb 88 Supra CompTs6m 93 Escort GT 2005 Corolla XRS

03-30-2005, 07:45 PM	#6
TomShilling Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 42	COME ON! The headlight knob came off, but not switch! The headlight knob pulled right off, no problem,,,but I need to replace the headlight switch! It is still there, not sure how I am supposed to remove it! Any more tips?

03-30-2005, 07:49 PM	#7
john member #16 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Yuba City Ca. Posts: 3,618	You have to unscrew the bezel and when it is off there is another nut that holds the switch. You might have to use pliers on the bezel nut. John __________________ john http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showgroups.php board vendors http://www.flickr.com/photos/1745471...7602865984234/

03-30-2005, 08:30 PM	#8
farside847 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 995	When I first got my truck, 100% of the dash bulbs were burnt out. Drove me nuts till I got new bulbs. __________________ 1971 Chevy C10 Shortbed Stepside, 307v8 3-on-the-tree

03-30-2005, 08:36 PM	#9
TomShilling Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 42	Help a Brother-Trucker out! Where and how to get at them? PLEASE don't tell me I have to pull the dash!! I don;t have a clue where to look for them, can you give me some guidance? How many and how to get at them? Thanks again!

03-30-2005, 08:40 PM	#10
farside847 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 995	You do not need to pull the dash, just the guage bezel. __________________ 1971 Chevy C10 Shortbed Stepside, 307v8 3-on-the-tree

03-30-2005, 09:26 PM	#11
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	you just look up at the back of the instrument cluster and there's these little holder things ,plastic sort of rectangular grab betweem thumb and forefinger and twist 1/4 turn to remove and the light bulbs just push into those holders. no need to temove dash or bezel __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

03-30-2005, 09:26 PM	#12
Old Dave Is a bullfrog waterproof? Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: OLATHE, KANSAS Posts: 1,130	If you have skinny arms you can probably reach them from under the dash. I think there is about 7 or 8 of them. The sockets push in and turn about 1/4 turn. Surely somebody on this board has a picture of a dash out of a truck that they could show you. __________________ "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt." Ben Franklin __________________ 1970 Chevy shortbed 2002 Harley Custom Chopper (Long sucker) 1998 K2500 5.7L 5-speed Longbed 1st two are My son's toys...they just live in my garage! 1997 GMC K1500 Suburban 1993 S-10 Blazer 4D (youngest son's daily driver) 2000 Dodge Ram 4WD Ext. Cab (5.9L) Wife is a late year 1951

03-30-2005, 09:54 PM	#13
70 shorty Where's my beer? Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Glen Allen, VA Posts: 1,768	You've already done half the work to pull the bezel. You'd have to take the headlight switch back out again, then the wiper knob needs to come off. It's held on by a very small set screw on the underside of the knob. Just back it out a little and the knob well come off. Then remove all the screws on the outside edge of the bezel, and then the metal cover under the steering column,(2 large phillips head screws. Finally the speedometer cable needs to be unscrewed from the back of the speedo, you can do this by feeling where it attaches to the speedo up under the dash, often a pair of channel locks is needed to loosen it, then I was able to pull my cluster out far enough to disconnect the wiring without having to do it from under the dash. Just unplug the connector and you're home free. It sounds long, but in reality once you see how it's done, it takes about 5 minutes. __________________ 70 C10, shortstep, .30 over 250,Hurst shifted 3 spd parts hauler. Holley 390, Clifford Intake, Header, ported cylinder head, unknown bigger cam. 79 Corvette L82, 4 spd, black, red interior, headers, flowmasters, and unkown bigger cam. '03 Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4.0 4x4 daily driver. 165K miles, and runs great '08 Tahoe LTZ 4x4 155K

03-30-2005, 09:58 PM	#14
TomShilling Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 42	Thanks guys. I will jump on it again tomorrow. It's gotta be the bulbs, and maybe a flasher is out. I appreciate all of the help!

03-31-2005, 10:08 AM	#15
Putter More Cowbell.... Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, MS Posts: 3,569	Here is the back of a cluster. Those little black things are the bulb holders. Twist those 1/4 turn to release, then just pull it out. The bulb will push in (wedge type-no twisting for the bulb itself). Then just put it back in the hole and turn the black thing 1/4 turn the opposite way to install. Attached Images __________________ *There once was a member from Puckett.....Who ( fill in the blank blank blank* ) bucket**



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