The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Headlight Switch

I went from this switch to the one below. Can't seem to dial in the correct wiring. Anybody have any feedback on how they wired it? My park lamps don't seem to work when I believe I have it all dialed in correctly. Looks like there is a little short too because there is a little clicking and spark coming off the back of the new switch when I wire it in. If someone could break down how they wired it it would be greatly appreciated.

http://www.classicparts.com/1947-54...6-Volt/productinfo/53-111A/#.VMZ0dP7F-Ck


http://www.classicparts.com/1941-54...-12volt/productinfo/53-156/#.VMZ0X_7F-Ck

Thanks!

Not sure about the new switch

Is your old switch damaged?
If not you could use your old switch and its probably superior.

The old one was done for. I have considered just buying the remake of the original versus trying to save a few bucks.

If its like the old one the park lamps should come on in the first pulled position, then when the headlamps come on the park lamps turn off.

you could have a bad switch out of the box

that sparking and clicking would concern me.

if you have a meter you could do a continuity check between the lugs as you pull the switch.


hopefully someone who has installed one of those will be along with some help.

" Looks like there is a little short too because there is a little clicking and spark coming off the back of the new switch when I wire it in. "

Do you mean it sparks when you connect the wires/leads to the switch?

Do you have the positive battery cable disconnected when you are connecting the leads to the switch? The positive battery cable should be disconnected (if you have a Chevrolet truck).

Yeah the little spark comes after its all hooked up. As in the battery is unhooked and then when the wiring is done I hook it up. It makes like a little tick noise too like its by passing something. I obviously don't have it hooked up right. EVerything else worked fine on it just for the click/spark and the park lamps not working.

In my opinion it is way better to recondition the old one. I wrote a tech on the subject here:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...on-a-delco-remy-headlight-switch.940829/

Patients and a nice work table will be your freind. Not the answer to your question but the new ones really do suck quality wise. Everytime I find an original one at a swap meet I snatch it up.

Thanks man!

No probs,

I can take pictures of my headlight switch in current (working) configuration if it will help.

That' okay. I took pictures of my old switch hooked up before I removed in case I had problems like this arise. Was more needing pictures or a breakdown of how someone hooked up the new one. They state for the new switch "Will work with minor modifications to wiring." Not sure what those modifications are..........oh well. I'll guess I'll just eat the cost and buy a new one that is the exact replica. Don't think I have the time to rebuild like you did. I'm assuming I would need to order parts for it as well?

Honestly it took me two hours start to finish with zero experience the first time. I'm down to 30 minutes now. Your switch would have to be really bad if it is unfixable. There isn't much that would break unless it was abused. You're essentially just cleaning out all the muck, buffing out your contacts and adding grease to protect it.

If I can't sway you check out classic parts of America. They have a direct replacement. Only thing you will need is your original bezel nut and your original switch knob.

If you're going to toss your switch I know a guy who will give it a good home.

dennys website

http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/ad_light_switch

Alright you twisted my arm..........I'm going to give this a shot. Hopefully I'll have a positive report for you after this weekend.

Glad to hear another old one is up to get repaired! Back then they made stuff to last. Just take your time and take pictures if you need to.

59apachegail the refurbishing worked like a charm. Thanks for all the tips.

That's Great News! IMHO The quality of the originals are never matched. Glad it all worked out.