The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Light Switch Removal? 59 apache

I have a 59 apache and I am trying to get everything off the dash for repaint. I read in the manual that the dash switch is pulled out, then you release somekind of spring thingy and the knob/shaft comes out of the switch and then you can pop off the cover and remove the switch. Question: Where is the springy thing? I have felt about on the switch with my hands and looked at a picture of it, but don't see the release. Anyone point me in the right direction?

I figured out the ignition switch bit by shoving a wire into the little holes on the front of the switch, turning a bit more anti-clockwise, and then the barrel comes right out. Easy.

I ran into the same problem with my '53. Never could find any release spring or location that would allow me to pull the knob and stem out even though several posts indicated it was easy to do. I can only assume it was an after market switch, particularly when I looked at it and compared it to the shop manual. It is different. Good luck. I never did get mine out and just gave up on the idea.

There should be something that looks like a large strait pin head sticking out of the switch box. Pull the switch knob out to the 2nd position (on) then press the pin head in and hold it while you pull the switch knob all the way out. The pin head should be fairly easy to find. Good luck.

There is a shaft with a rounded end on it sticking out of the side of the switch. You should pull on the lightswitch to the second position and then push in on the button or shaft and this will allow the switch shaft to be pulled all the way out. Most of them are a bit frozen up and you have to exert some force. Sometimes it takes more pressure than what you would be able to exert with the soft tissue of a finger . Actually a thimble or something like that may help.

Yeah, the spring loaded button. Usually on top. May have to have switch in off position, but some are in park position to allow the button to go down. May take a good pull. Then, you need to take a screwdriver at the trim part left and unscrew the switch and pull back from dash. Good time to put the trim nut back on and re-insert shaft to keep from losing them. Keep in mind truck lights are on when pulled out unless you have battery cables off. And if not, a wire or two on swith will arc if touched to body/dash somewhere. Remove the batt cable!

Thanks, going to go out and do that right now. Glad you guys got nuthin better to do than hang about and answer posts!

I just got through trying to adjust the shifter on my ducati M750 bike, to no avail, for the nth time too, going to take it to the shop when the weather stinks.

RIght now, 71 out!

Man, youse goiys is great!

toke 2 sekonds when I new wat 2 du!

I b igor-ant.

That is one are I find very frustrating to work on, on these old trucks, that is behind the dash. If you can get your fingers in there you can't see them or you can get your fingers in but not the tools!

well, once you pull out the main gauge pod (speedo) you have all kinds of easy access, of course, my truck has no interior, nor wiring, and believe it or nuts, the springy thingy on the light switch worked pretty easy and the knob came right out.

I removed all the interior fittings and now am about ready to go in with somekind of wirebrush to knock most of the rest of the loose rust out - although - I have to go out to alvaredo to get my bike worked on, and TC Cowan Co. is right there, probably get some o dat Zintrex rust converter. Plant is right on the way.

howziit Irwin!

while you're under the bare dash, run a piece of sandpaper, along all the sharp edges, especially behind the gauge cluster.

your hands will thank you, whenever you have to work under there, in the future.

BTW, if you get a replacement lightswitch, and the shaft won't re-install, i'll tell you how to re-engage the shaft. :rolleyes:

One of the few things that I liked about working on my CJ-5 was that you could unscrew the entire dash and pull it back a few inches to work behind it. Gravity sux.

This thread was a big help removing the light switch on my 55 S2. I had the spring loaded button that allows the switch knob to be pulled completely out. The one thing I found to be different is that the chrome trim piece that fits over the shaft nut is not meant to be removed. The hole that the switch goes through is actually slotted and allows access to the slotted top of the shaft nut. Once the knob shaft is removed, just use a flat screwdriver to remove the shaft nut.