Headlight switch

[Whons]

my 71 headlights work fine as do the high beams, but my dashboard lights are dim. They are the brightest just before you turn the switch counter clockwise to turn on the dome light. I think it's the headlight switch that's bad. Anyone know how to remove it and replace. I never took one out. 

[stangeba]

Unhook the battery

Take off the top dash pad. (This may not be required if you can reach it all from under)

Then you push in this tiny button (with the tiny spring) and pull out the headlight switch knob and shaft

Picture:

 

Then there is a threaded thing  (now visible with the knob out) that requires a large screwdriver that you unscrew.

Not sure if the best time to unhook the wire connector in now or when it's still secure in the cluster?

I have heard there are some switches sold that are wrong. 7 connectors are required for a 71. I will add more pictures in the next reply.

 

 

[stangeba]

2 more pictures:

Notice the 7 tabs the connector attaches to.

Notice the ground wire hanging down on the second picture! Make sure it is in place when the new switch is installed. 

The dash light dimmer looks like a small coil spring and it is inside that white box that is it's insulator. I have seen the coil broken and that will cause the dash lights to fail and blow the fuse.

You have already verified the small fuse in the fuse box is OK?

The headlights must be on, then power is sent to the dash lights, before you can check the fuse.

I will look for a picture of that now:

 

 

[stangeba]

Fuse box. See the small fuse at the bottom labeled INST LPS I think it's only 4 AMPS and sometime they can get rusty causing a loss of power to that fuse.

Good luck!

 

 

[Scott S.]

Wayne,

Old cars dash lights are always dim in my experience.... That's why I upgraded to the LED's.

Made it much easier to see, especially at night. 

You may want to try that first.

Scott

 

[stangeba]

Good point!

I haven't driven my Monte at night in a very long time...

Or several bulbs may be burnt out?

[cbolt]

52 minutes ago, stangeba said:

 

Or several bulbs may be burnt out?

That is the most likely reason, but not the only reason for dim dash lights. Lots of folks do not drive their classics at night. 

[Whons]

thanks for all the info. I just verified the small fuse with an ohm meter and it looks good. But when I turn the headlights on I don't read any DC volts. doesn't make sense to me. I think the dimmer switch is the problem cause I can wiggle it a little the dash lights get a little brighter.

[Whons]

I should have said that when the headlights are on I don't read any volts across that little fuse.

[Whons]

Stupid me. I should have known that you can't get a voltage reading from one end of the fuse to the other. You have to go from one end to a ground. I took the fuse out and it tested good. 

[stangeba]

I remember always using a 12 Volt test light (with a pointy tip to pierce into the wires) for testing for power and continuity but I was taught back in the early 70's.

[Whons]

Yes that's still a good method. I have one and have used it a lot for trailer lights. 

[Whons]

5 hours ago, stangeba said:

2 more pictures:

Notice the 7 tabs the connector attaches to.

Notice the ground wire hanging down on the second picture! Make sure it is in place when the new switch is installed. 

The dash light dimmer looks like a small coil spring and it is inside that white box that is it's insulator. I have seen the coil broken and that will cause the dash lights to fail and blow the fuse.

You have already verified the small fuse in the fuse box is OK?

The headlights must be on, then power is sent to the dash lights, before you can check the fuse.

I will look for a picture of that now:

 

 

Thanks for the knowledge of 7 terminals. There is a lot that says they fit and I count 8 terminals. 

[rsorg]

hi. i changed over to led bulbs also, alot brighter

[Scott S.]

17 hours ago, Whons said:

Thanks for the knowledge of 7 terminals. There is a lot that says they fit and I count 8 terminals. 

I've seen a diagram where the 8th connection is for the interior light ground wire.... Is that correct ?

[Whons]

31 minutes ago, Scott S. said:

I've seen a diagram where the 8th connection is for the interior light ground wire.... Is that correct ?

I don't know 

[jft69z]

34 minutes ago, Scott S. said:

I've seen a diagram where the 8th connection is for the interior light ground wire.... Is that correct ?

It has to do with parking lamps. Read from this link, and down a couple more posts. Pictures & explanation of the terminals.

https://www.firstgenmc.com/forums/index.php?/topic/32104-1972-monte-headlight-switch-7-or-8-terminal/#comment-273203

 

[Whons]

On 6/15/2024 at 1:06 PM, rsorg said:

hi. i changed over to led bulbs also, alot brighter

Where can you get led lights for the dash? do they twist in just like the old ones? can you get at most of them from the top with the dash pad removed? thanks, Wayne

[Scott S.]

Hi Wayne,

Most auto parts stores carry them, I got mine from Amazon.

Most of the dash lights are the plug in to the twist holder type, so they also fit in the running light recepticales too.

I've read that some bulbs are polarized, for lack of a better term, and will only work if plugged in inline. (positive in, negative out)

Install would depend on the size of your fingers and your dexterity..... Most can be reached from above, but I did most of mine from under the dash after I took the plate under the steering colomn out. 

Scott.