1956 Headlight Switch

[Bruce B.]

Re: 1956 Headlight Switch

PN 1995082, AKA D1514.

Has the fuse at the back end.
57 headlight switch 001.JPG57 headlight switch 002.JPG

[Joe L.]

Re: 1956 Headlight Switch

the switches used in 55 and 56 were 1995061 and 1995072. the 1995061 switch does not have a fuse like later switches.

John-----


Yes, those were the original part numbers for 1955 and 1956. However, both of those were discontinued and replaced by the 1957 switch, GM #1995082, in August, 1958.

[Jerry B.]

Re: 1956 Headlight Switch

Is the 072 headlight switch correct for a 1955-56? I have a 072 and a 082 headlight switch side by side. The only difference is the confiquration of the rheostat assy. I would guess this was a production improvement.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1956 Headlight Switch

Is the 072 headlight switch correct for a 1955-56? I have a 072 and a 082 headlight switch side by side. The only difference is the confiquration of the rheostat assy. I would guess this was a production improvement.

Jerry------


The GM #1995072 is the original switch used for 1956 (and SERVICE for 1955). It was replaced, for SERVICE, in August, 1958 by the 1957 switch, GM #1995082.

By the way, I have no doubt that the 1995082 included functional improvement over the 1995061 and 1995072. There are lots of reasons for parts to change. However, for a part like this that is used on a later model and becomes SERVICE for earlier models, that usually indicates a functional improvement. For me, I always favor a functionally improved part, especially if it's an essentially unseen component.

[Jerry B.]

Re: 1956 Headlight Switch

Thanks Joe for the input.

[John N.]

Re: 1956 Headlight Switch

John,The headlights and front parking lights go through the circuit breaker. If neither work, then you have a bad breaker. If it is just the headlights, then you need to check the wiring, and maybe the dimmer switch.-Dan-

Dan and others thanks!!! It was the dimmer switch.

[Dan D.]

Re: 1956 Headlight Switch

Glad you got it fixed okay.

-Dan-

[Richard M.]

Re: 1956 Headlight Switch

I know this is an old thread, but all relative so I wanted to ask here......This has bugged me for a while and I need to know.....

In the 1957 AIM, on Section 12 Sheet 12, there it shows a diagram of the Headlight Switch. It does not show that small fuse for the Dash Indicator Lights on the switch.

AIM_Sec12_Sht12.jpg

But Sheet 11 shows the 072 switch and the fuse.
AIM_Sec12_Sht11.jpg


Here's a "082" switch....See the small fuse on the left.
P3100006.jpg P3100008.jpg

Is this just a error in the AIM on sheet 12? Or did the switch get changed in 1957 without a Dash Light fuse and the fuse is somewhere else?

Thanks for fixing my bug....
Rich

[Dan D.]

Re: 1956 Headlight Switch

Hi Rich,

As far as I know, this fuse has always been there. But - I did not know there were 2 different P/Ns for the switch, or that the AIM had conflicting configurations.

If anything, the fuse would probably have been added because of field complaints if a short occurred. A short would have destroyed the rheostat, at a minimum. So a better question may be - did 56s have a fuse? If not , then some could have made their way into 57, seeing how GM used all inventory they possibly could. Need some 56 owners to answer this question. You learn something new every day.

-Dan-

[Loren L.]

Re: 1956 Headlight Switch

I know this is an old thread, but all relative so I wanted to ask here......This has bugged me for a while and I need to know.....

In the 1957 AIM, on Section 12 Sheet 12, there it shows a diagram of the Headlight Switch. It does not show that small fuse for the Dash Indicator Lights on the switch.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]55148[/ATTACH]

But Sheet 11 shows the 072 switch and the fuse.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]55149[/ATTACH]


Here's a "082" switch....See the small fuse on the left.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]55146[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]55147[/ATTACH]

Is this just a error in the AIM on sheet 12? Or did the switch get changed in 1957 without a Dash Light fuse and the fuse is somewhere else?

Thanks for fixing my bug....
Rich

Drawings in the AIMs CANNOT SAFELY be used as blueprints. Graphics would use a layout or drawing, irregardless of source, if it provided a representative layout of the parts that it was attempting to identify in the order in which they were assembled. The source used may use pieces that are not included in the actual assembly.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1956 Headlight Switch

Thanks guys......

Dan, Yes we need a few more '56 & '57 folks to step in. I hope they have more info.


Loren, Yes I know there are AIM errors, and even AMA Spec errors. Trying to clarify that the AIM is in error.

The part number for the Fuse is shown in the 1957 AIM on Sheet 10. Fuse 445635 is a AGC 3 Amp according to my references.
The 1956 AMA Spec Page 11 states there is a 3 Amp "AGA" fuse "mounted on Light Switch Assembly". I think "AGA" is a typo. So it seems that the 072 HL Switch had the fuse also.
The 1957 AMA Spec Page 11 states there is a 3 Amp fuse "AGA", for the dash lights, but makes no mention of where the fuse is located.

Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: 1956 Headlight Switch

With some more research I think I solved the mysteries.....

Below are photos I found of a 1995072 switch. It obviously has the fuse. I see some mechanical differences with respect to the 1995082, one of which was the rheostat.
1995072_4.jpg 1995072_1.jpg 1995072_3.jpg

On 7-1-56 the part was superseded to 1995082. This is why the AIM(1957) shows the 082.

I believe the AIM Sheet 12 image of the switch is the 1995061 which is the 1955 version without the fuse. They probably just wanted to show the harness terminal connections on that sheet and had a '55 061 switch diagram already on file, so they inserted that image into the sheet to show the wiring.

Below is a 1995061 switch. 1953 to 1955 Corvette. It's just like the one depicted in the AIM Sheet 12. No Fuse, as John S. mentioned earlier too.

1995061_2.jpg

http://www.oldsobsolete.com/products-page/1953-chevrolet-parts-for-sale/1953-1955-corvette-headlight-switch-used-1995061/#

So....I guess this all means that most '56's should have the 1995072 switch, or maybe all of them. 1957 should have the 1995982. But since the 072 was replaced with the 082 in July, there probably are not many loose 072's around.

I guess I learned something new about '56's and '57's this week.

Now-debugged....

Rich

[Dan D.]

Re: 1956 Headlight Switch

Yea Rich,

We are definitely learning something here. So it appears that the fuse appeared sometime in 56.

But ------ the old obsolete parts website you referenced is incorrect stating that it is correct for 53 -55. It is not. The 061 with no fuse can be and probably is correct for 12V 1955 and perhaps early 56. It is not correct for 6V 53-54, and maybe the dozen or so 55s that were built with the 6 cylinder engine. The 53-54 switch is an entirely different animal. They are totally different configuration and have 1 high current circuit breaker (around 30A). I have rebuilt 3 of the 53-54 switches.

By the way, if you have no or intermittent dash lights the problem is corrosion behind the rivet under the rheostat resistance wire. Dissimilar metal problem. To fix this you have to drill out the rivet and clean the corrosion on the wire. To stake a copper rivet means risking breaking the substrate. (These are plastic - 53-54 are ceramic). What I did is replace the rivet with a brass screw. It cannot be seen when installed in the car. If fact you will find corrosion behind all of the rivets. I have built a fixture that will test these switches and check the opening current of the breakers - (high current fixture).

Tried to post some pics, but can't make it work. Not a new problem for me, but I have been successful before.

-Dan-

[Richard M.]

Re: 1956 Headlight Switch

Dan, On that 082 switch I pictured earlier, the dash light fuse connectors were loose, which caused intermittent operation. I was able to re-stake the rivets. I was worried about breaking the Bakelite, but it worked fine in the end. Nice tight connections now.

Yes, that website had the wrong description....good catch.

Rich

[Dan D.]

Re: 1956 Headlight Switch

Okay Rich, as long as it works you are golden. Its just that I have found plenty of corrosion on every switch I have opened.

PS - finally got pics to load. Below is a 54 switch.

-Dan-
54 Headlight Switch (640x480).jpg

Below is the load bank I built to run current through these switches. Pictured is a 54 switch under test.

Load Bank (480x640).jpg