Replace headlight switch knob - any advice?

[Oliver B.]

I want to replace my 77's (wrong) headlight switch knob with either the original knob (lacking the rod) or a replacement one.
My options are to either pry off the incorrect plastic knob from the triangular rod (using brute force?)... or exchange the knob/rod-assembly in whole from the switch.

Anybody ever tried to force such a knob from its rod? Is it possible? Can that damage the switch? What glue might be able to withstand the pulling-force when switching on the headlights? (All quite unnice things to consider - on the other hand I do have the original knob!)

Or how can the knob/rod most easily be changed? The descriptions in the Shop Manual are not too clear (at least for me) to make it sound like a "straightforward one hour action"...

Who did this before and can help with advice?

Thanks

[Michael W.]

Re: Replace headlight switch knob - any advice?

If the switches on '77 are similar to earlier years, you must first gain access to the rear of the switch. This means removing or loosening the dash panel.

Once you have access, there is a small spring loaded button on the switch housing that will release the knob and shaft once pushed.

Takes 2 seconds- once you have access.

[Oliver B.]

Re: Replace headlight switch knob - any advice?

Thank you, Michael.
Guess loosening the dash panel (the one facing to the driver, not the upper one, right?) will take somewhat more time than just releasing the rod and slipping the new one in...

The Shop Manual (in their explanantion of the procedure to exchange the whole switch) says to lower the steering column, loosening some of its nuts, before loosening the dash panel. Will all that be neccessary?

I thought, that loosening the panel just a bit to get my hand pried in there might do the show - but how does that release button FEEL then?
And I have to "feel" for it on the lower side of the switch, right?

Anyhow, I (also) tend more to exchanging the whole thing instead of trying the King Kong method to pry the wrong knob off...

[Doug K.]

Re: Replace headlight switch knob - any advice?

You don't have to remove the switch from the dash...

First you will have to remove the negative battery terminal before you start.

The easiest way is to remove the ductwork from beneath the switch, take out all screws holding that side of the dash and inch it out from it's hole. When you get access to the back of the switch pull the rod out turning on the headlights and find the spring-loaded button and push it while removing the rod.

I never tried to switch knobs on this rod, but if you have an original you now can replace it without damaging the switch.

Hope that helps!

[Oliver B.]

Re: Replace headlight switch knob - any advice?

You don't have to remove the switch from the dash... Copy!

First you will have to remove the negative battery terminal before you start. Yup, no-brainer!

The easiest way is to remove the ductwork which? The AC's from below the dash or the vacuum's from the switch itself? from beneath the switch, take out all screws holding that side of the dash and inch it out from it's hole. When you get access to the back of the switch pull the rod out turning on the headlights and find easily said - or is it THAT self explanatory when wiggeling around in there? the spring-loaded button and push it while removing the rod.

I never tried to switch knobs on this rod, but if you have an original you now can replace it without damaging the switch.

Hope that helps!

But thanks nevertheless - anything that makes me "visualize" what lies before me helps!

[Doug K.]

Re: Replace headlight switch knob - any advice?

The A/C duct can be removed from underneath keeping it and the register from getting broken. The tube is soft, but the dash is hard and brittle.

You may not have to take the vacuum lines off the switch, but remember how they went in case you do!

"When you get access to the back of the switch pull the rod out turning on the headlights and find easily said - or is it THAT self explanatory when wiggeling around in there? the spring-loaded button and push it while removing the rod."

You have to pull the rod out until it stops. Then to remove the rod, push down on the spring loaded button. this button is the stop keeping the rod from coming out when you pull it. You will find it, and there is some wiggling involved to release the rod....

When you are done, just push the rod back in, setting it in the switch.

[Oliver B.]

Re: Replace headlight switch knob - any advice?

Does the new rod snap in place, or is it necessary to depress the release once again?

[Terry M.]

Re: Replace headlight switch knob - any advice?

It just pushed in. There should be no need to push the spring loaded button for the install.

[Doug K.]

Re: Replace headlight switch knob - any advice?

Does the new rod snap in place, or is it necessary to depress the release once again?

Just push it in, it will snap into place... This can even be done after replacing the dash. You can test this by cycling the switch to make sure it works.

[Oliver B.]

Re: Replace headlight switch knob - any advice?

Thanks everybody for your input! I will post how it worked out, when I'm done... (Right now there is some very nasty weather over here in Germany - not of the kind to take the car out for any job...)

[Oliver B.]

Re: Replace headlight switch knob - any advice?

Coming back to report success...
Yesterday we were having the first real spring day over here in Northern Germany, so I tackled this "project".

After disconnecting the batt, I first tried to wiggle my hand behind the dash without taking off the ducts - NO way of getting in there!

Then I unscrewed the two screws next to the door and the three over the speedo and tach holding the dashboard in place.
I pulled the dashboard gently - not too much (I was very afraid of braking the panel or anything else), but after a while I was able to squeeze my fingers into the gap and barely touch the release-button (pictures of how the switch looks like and where the button was to be expected was lying on the driver's seat and was of great help!).
Pressing the button and releasing the old rod was a breeze, just like snapping the new rod/knob in again...

20 minutes of work. Plus a test-drive to make sure, everything was still working...

Oh, as I still had the original knob (without the rod), I was able to compare it to the new part I received from ZIP: the grain on the new one is slightly less fine than the original, but this can only be seen when putting both knobs side by side...

Attached pictures "before" and "after" (btw: does anyone recognize, WHAT knob I was having in before? Presumably not from the poor perspective, hum? It fitted the dash quite well in terms of looks...)

Thanks again for everybody's input.