I am trying to replace my headlight switch. I cannot figure out how to get the push pull rod out of the old switch. Any info would be helpful. Also, my headlights work in the dim on, but when I go to bright all the lights go out. I have replaced the dimmer switch on the floor. Any suggestions.

Headlight switch-disconnect the battery and pull the knob all the way out. Then depress the little plunger in the middle of the metal base of the switch close to the end that goes to the dash pad. Then you can pull the knob out. Use a coin and a pair of pliers to remove the retaining nut. You will probably have to drop the column a little and remove or at least loosen the dash pad to replace it. Good luck.

If the headlight work on low beam (dim) why are you replacing the switch? Is there another problem with it? The switch is suppling power to the dimmer switch. The dimmer is the choice between high and low beam. Either the dimmer is bad or has a bad connection, or the wiring or bulbs to the high beams are bad. Yes you can have 4 lights burned out, though not likely you should check for power at the lights before going too far. You may have a ground problem. The low beams can ground through the high beam circuit, they will be a bit dim, but the opposite can't supply enough current to light the high beams.

Ken Styer

The reason I am replacing the headlight swith is because I have tried everything I know how. I am not that good at electrical stuff. I have replaced all four headlights and the dimmer switch. When I cracked open my dash I noticed the headlight switch was in really bad shape. I thought I would try this and see if it would help out. Also, my front parking lights and blinker lights do not work. I am just perplexed because all of my rear lights work fine.

If the rear park lights work, but not the front, that could be the headlight switch. Many of our cars shut off the front park lights when the headlights were turned on. Others left the front park lights on with the headlights. Turn on just the park lights, not the headlights, and see if the front come on. If so, no problem, just normal. I don't remember which years did which. If they don't ever come on at any point it could be the switch, connectors, grounds, wireing, or bulbs.

The fact the low beams work and not the high beams means that part at least is working, That problem is not the switch. If the headlights are new you have a wiring or ground problem.

The front turn siganls are not related. All of this sounds like a ground problem. Or perhaps a bad bulk connector.

Time for a test light and wiring diagram. If you can do some checking I can help. Do you have a test light or voltmeter?

Ken Styer

|UPDATED|3/15/2004 3:29:36 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

I have a test lamp, but I am a novice when it comes to all this electrical stuff.

Connect your test light to a good ground. Touch the end of the light to the connectors and see if it lights up. Start at any point where you can find a connection to the lights. See if the test lamp lights. This could be under the hood or under the dash. If you have power, the problem is closer to the lights. If you don't, the power is closer to the switch. Don't forget to check both sides of the connectors. It could be a connector where you lose power. Try both all of the connectors on the dimmer switch. With the lights on, one will be hot all the time. It should switch back and forth between the other two. We know one will work, the low beams work. The high beam may or may not work. If the switch is new, I'm guessing it will, but maybe not so test it there.
While you are trying to follow wires remember they all are color coded, usually with another color stripe, and they are all a specfic size. So watch for color and size to match wires. The one from the headlight switch to the dimmer will be one color, one side of the low beam will match between the dimmer switch and the low beam light bulbs, and a third color from the dimmer switch to the high beam bulbs. Paying attention to this will give you come clue. Do some cheking, even you don't have a clue. Pay attention to wire colors and location. Let me know what you find, and where in the car you find it, and we will go from there.

Did you check the front park lights with the switch on parking lights only?

Ken Styer

|UPDATED|3/16/2004 11:13:07 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Thanks so much. I am going try it later today. I will get back to you via email. Again thanks.

Reggie, I had a simalur problem in my 76 when I first got it with the marker lights. It turned out to be a couple of rusty grounds connections. I went through and got a dremel out after all the ground connections I could see and then all but one light worked. That turned out to be a bad socket. I replaced it and now we gots Lights!!!:-)

Good luck!

Vince

Found my problem. The guy I bought the car from had rewired the back of the fuse box, and had the bright wire in the wrong position. I moved it to match the position on the harness and presto! it worked. Thanks so much for all the input.