Topic: Headlight switch removal?
in Forum: C3 Interior
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Former Member
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West Bend, WI - USA
Joined: 3/18/2010
Posts: 46
Vette(s): 1985 silver coupe & 1975 red coupe
I need some help AGAIN. I have a 1975 car and I need to know how to get the light switch knob and stem out so I can replace the plastic bezel that is supposed to be on the switch. I can't see anything on the switch that would let me release the shaft. The shop manual I have is no help. Please give me some ideas. Thanks.
(added thread title-aapple)
|UPDATED|7/7/2012 1:55:55 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
(added thread title-aapple)
|UPDATED|7/7/2012 1:55:55 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
The release pin is on the back side of the dash, on the switch itself. Push the pin in, and then pull the knob all the way out. Make sure the battery is disconnected, because this will turn the headlights on.
Joel Adams
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Lifetime MemberLemon Grove, CA - USA
Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041
Vette(s): 1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.
It is not the easiest pin to find if the dash is in the car. I'm not sure I would have found it if I had not pulled the dash for replacement. The knob will most likely not come out easily even with the pin pushed in but it will come out.
Kind of like taking the fuel pump out of an 82. It will come out but it takes some wiggling to do it.
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Joined: 12/3/2007
Posts: 292
Vette(s): 1978 Corvette Light Blue
Pulled from the swamps of Miami!
Its a driver and back on the road!
I am having trouble pulling the pin out the little spring knob is all the way in but still not releasing?
A word to the wise, once you get your new switch check your vacuum ports to make sure they work like they are suppose too. I only say that because I just replaced my switch, put it all back together only to find the vacuum side of the switch was defective and I had to pull it back out. The job isnt that much fun that you want to do it twice. Good Luck!
Rodney Hake
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
You need to pull the headlight switch all the way out(headlights ON), then mash the pin down. You may also need to twist the knob a little, or sometimes you may need to push back IN on the knob a little, to get it to release....but it will come out.
Installing the knob is much easier..just cram it back in the hole all the way, and it will set itself.
Installing the knob is much easier..just cram it back in the hole all the way, and it will set itself.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Former Member
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Oak Creek, WI - USA
Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1965
Vette(s): 1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!
Right On, Joel!~! Thats the way to do it. I have done it myself. It is often easy for us to do an action but hard to tell sombody how to do it. Joel is a very good teacher. Now if I could find an apple to throw at him!!!!
Dan da Man
Former Member
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Jefferson Twp, PA - USA
Joined: 8/27/2016
Posts: 3
Vette(s): 1980 L82 Black T-Top
Yes, struggled with this late last night.
Figured I would research it today and bam! C3vr had the secret.
Thanks guys!!!
Adams' Apple said:
You need to pull the headlight switch all the way out(headlights ON), then mash the pin down. You may also need to twist the knob a little, or sometimes you may need to push back IN on the knob a little, to get it to release....but it will come out.
Installing the knob is much easier..just cram it back in the hole all the way, and it will set itself.
Installing the knob is much easier..just cram it back in the hole all the way, and it will set itself.
I found that the easiest way to get it out is to pull the knob all the way out, put pressure on the release button, then slowly push the knob back in until the release button goes all the way in, then pull the switch knob all the way out.
I struggled with this numerous times until I did it as above -- much like Adams' Apple said.
in Forum: C3 Interior
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