removing the headlight switch

[bgl0b6]

How do I do it.I don't want to break anything,I am sure there must be a trick?

[MGD72Monte]

There is a button on top of the switch assembly behind the dash. You need to get your hand back there, press down on it and then you can pull the shaft out from the front with your other hand. After that you will see a large washer like nut with a slot. You can use a big screw driver to undo that nut which will free the switch portion from the dash then you can remove the plug and then finally the unit can be taken out. Hopefully someone will chime in and maybe show pics which makes it easier to understand.

 

Good luck

[MCfan]

Your assumption is correct, Michael, there IS a trick or two involved. Sorry I don't have a picture, but I've done it a couple times so this is from memory.

 

You will need to remove your dash pad to get to the switch so take out the six screws that are in the upper lip of the dash and glove box door, lift the dash pad about an inch and pull it straight toward you. It's held in place by about five friction clips along the front edge so you may have to tug a bit to loosen it.

 

There is a fairly large electrical connector attached to the switch body so you should pull that off. Then, find the small plunger in the switch body that is perpendicular to the light switch shaft and either press it in or pull it out (can remember which) while you pull out on the knob and the shaft and knob/shaft assembly should come out in your hand.

 

Now you can more easily get to the nut/retainer ring that holds the switch body against the dash. Look at the front and note the two slots in the retaining ring against the outside face of the dash. Use a small, adjustable spanner wrench to unscrew that retainer ring and the switch can then be removed from the back side. If you don't have a spanner wrench, you can use a couple of flat-blade screwdrivers in the slots and turn them in unison or even an inside "C" ring pliers inserted into the two slots to loosen and remove that retainer ring.

 

If I remember correctly, I think Bruce has some great pictures that might help you. Maybe he will chime in here.

 

Good luck!

[Andreas]

Remove dash pad

Unplug wiring harness from switch

There is a little spring loaded button at the rear of the switch

Push that button and you can pull the switch knob and shaft out

Unscrew the front nut using pliers or similar and you can remove the switch

I seem to remember that there was a ground wire attached as well, but not 100% sure

[Mo's70MCs]

Only other suggestion I may have is undo battery terminal (+) if haven't already done so. It's good practice.

[pocobill7t1]

Excellent tip.always disconnect the battery

[stangeba]

Headlight switch pictures.

H/L switch shaft release button

back side of dash (with gauge package) 1971 No A/C

[bgl0b6]

Thanks guys again,works like a dream....Mike

[Big Jim]

Now that wasn't hard was it?

 

[Az72Monte]

Hi, need a refresh on this topic. How do you remove the electrical connector. And anybody have any updated pictures, those are gone. Thanks 

[Rob Peters]

Matt, there is an excellent description in the posts above.  Here is one of the comments:

"Your assumption is correct, Michael, there IS a trick or two involved. Sorry I don't have a picture, but I've done it a couple times so this is from memory.

You will need to remove your dash pad to get to the switch so take out the six screws that are in the upper lip of the dash and glove box door, lift the dash pad about an inch and pull it straight toward you. It's held in place by about five friction clips along the front edge so you may have to tug a bit to loosen it.

There is a fairly large electrical connector attached to the switch body so you should pull that off. Then, find the small plunger in the switch body that is perpendicular to the light switch shaft and either press it in or pull it out (can remember which) while you pull out on the knob and the shaft and knob/shaft assembly should come out in your hand.

Now you can more easily get to the nut/retainer ring that holds the switch body against the dash. Look at the front and note the two slots in the retaining ring against the outside face of the dash. Use a small, adjustable spanner wrench to unscrew that retainer ring and the switch can then be removed from the back side. If you don't have a spanner wrench, you can use a couple of flat-blade screwdrivers in the slots and turn them in unison or even an inside "C" ring pliers inserted into the two slots to loosen and remove that retainer ring.

If I remember correctly, I think Bruce has some great pictures that might help you. Maybe he will chime in here.

Good luck!

[B-Man]

@Az72Monte, I just replaced my headlight switch and posted in an existing thread, link below. It definitely seems easier to replace by removing the dash pad, per above.  But my dash pad was already out. Replacing the switch didn't solve my problem (dash gauge lights non functional) but it certainly can't hurt!

Good luck!

 

[stangeba]

Here is a link to the entire group of pictures and descriptions I created about the snowball effect a simple heater core replacement can turn into if you let it.

Things like "GROUND WIRES" and headlight switches are included as are several other things I worked on.

I hope this will help.

https://1971montecarlo.wordpress.com/2019/04/26/heater-core-replacement-on-a-1971-monte-carlo-no-a-c/

 

[Az72Monte]

Thanks, yeah all I’m going g is replacing the headlight knob. Just doesn’t want to come out will keep trying. Thanks for all the replies.

[Dtret]

Did you try pushing the release button on top of the switch itself?

[Scott S.]

 

Hey Matt, 

If all you're doing is replacing the knob, all you need to do is pull it out to full, press the little spring loaded thingy on the switch behind the dash, and pull the knob the rest of the way out..... It might take a little jiggle to get it, but it should come. Then reverse to reinstall.

I found it's easily accessed from underneath, but that depends on your dexterity.