1956 Buick Headlight Switch Removal

[ghaskett]

What is the secret to removing the switch? It works just fine, except there are no dash lights. So, I read my trusty '56 Shop Manual and it made the switch removal sound like a slam dunk...until I stuck my pea brain under the dash.

How can I reasonably expect to get to it? Do I need to remove fuse box.

Thanking you all in advance.

George

[Paul Falabella]

Don't know if the 56 is the same as the 55 switch but if it is, try twisting the dimmer rheostat back and forth, it worked on my 55. Corrosion on the coil.

[JohnD1956]

There should be just enough space to reach up and push in the button. But dropping the fuse box makes it much easier.

[Guest NikeAjax]

George, reach in under the dash and feel around until you're certain you have the switch: there will be a stud on there, 'bout in the middle if I 'member right, with your other hand, pull the knob out for the lights, then, and only then depress the stud, at which point the knob will come right out. Next, take a needle-nose pliers, or if you've got a REALLY-wide slot-tip screw driver, put it down the hole you've just removed the knob from, and unscrew, the ah-um, what the heck do ya call that anyway! Turn, turn, turn, and turn some more, note, be careful when you put them back, as lining it back up can be tricky...

Are you going to rebuild the switch yourself? I did, I just used a fine spring in place of the coiled wire for the rheostat-dingus.

WARNING: There is a spring loaded mechanism, the back half, with a loaded-rod; these can and will shoot across the room, get sucked into a time and space-vortex, and wind up on Mars, in a neat pile--in other word, it's a very simple thing to loose those parts forever!!!!! The rod is loaded laterally, so they will shoot in opposite directions, one will more likely than not land in your lap;), but wave bye-bye to the other unless you're in a clean-room... Oh, so pull the sucker apart in a box, or better yet, a pillow-case--really!

Jaybird

Edited March 6, 2014 by NikeAjax (see edit history)

[ghaskett]

Thanks for all the info. I actually have some lighting for the dash, but it is real dim...especially in the speedo area. Pushing, pulling and twisting the switch produces some pretty rough sounds from the switch. My guess is that its pretty tired after nearly 60 years.