Headlight motor switch parts

[Steve J.]

Restoring my 1967 headlight motor switch and have found one of the "clips" that holds the assembly inside the switch case is broken. Paragon used to stock the clip for $5 but says "no longer available." Does anyone know of any Corvette sites that might offer this part? I haven't had any luck with any of the vendors I know. If anyone knows of the company that manufactures the replacement switches, maybe they'd sell me a clip even though I know they'd rather sell me an entire switch (at $85 - $150 per!!!) Thanks!

[Timothy B.]

Re: Headlight motor switch parts

Steve, I don't know where you might find the clip. I took the switch apart on my 63 to restore and the plating must have been worn on the contacts because I had trouble with it working properly. I purchased a NOS switch and what a difference it made in the operation of the headlight buckets.

[Norm B.]

Re: Headlight motor switch parts

Steve,

My switch is on its last legs and I would rather repair it than replace it however I have been hunting high and low for parts for these switches for a long time. I found a scrap one at Carlisle a while back that had clips but no guts so I grabbed it.

As you mentioned if someone is selling reproductions then obviously someone is making parts. Either Paragon or Long Island listed a repair "Kit" a few years ago but when I tried to order one it was discontinued.

I think there is a lot of us that would rather repair their switches than replace them and I would not be surprised if a Corvette Central or Long Island Corvette could make a bigger margin, or at least have a bigger volume on kits rather than switches. Maybe one of the big guys could step up to the plate on this one.

All I can suggest for now is to keep hunting at the swap meets. Good luck.

Norm

[Steve J.]

Re: Headlight motor switch parts

Thanks for the reply, Norm. I, too, would rather keep my original if able and I can put it back together with just one clip holding it in but obviously would rather have both. One site told me their parts are made in Taiwan and come as a "unit" so they don't have a repair kit. I'll keep looking and might find one somewhere. Appreciate the feedback! Steve.

[Steve J.]

Re: Headlight motor switch parts

Thanks Timothy. I have my fingers crossed I'll come across the clips somewhere out there in "Vetteland" !!!

[John D.]

Re: Headlight motor switch parts

From what I have heard we may be in for some rough times buying repro parts that we have taken for granted in the past. If the dealer doesn't have the cash on hand to make them he may be out of luck as the banks are shutting off credit for automotive parts. Now I don't know if this is everywhere but in our section of the country it is. Takes a lot of cash to repro a part today. Especially in this country. So for awhile at least look for there to be a possible shortage of repro parts. I am not just making this stuff up either. JD

[Norm B.]

Re: Headlight motor switch parts

That's a little worrisome John but not surprising given the state of things today. Maybe it will fall back to guys like me who just retired to start up little cottage industries making this stuff in small quantities.