1959 olds autotronic light dimmer

[Guest]

is a 61 caddy/gm auto dimmer same or similar to those used in 59 olds...I'd like to swap in but stay authentic

[rocketraider]

The function will be the same, but I think 1961 cars had the smaller phototube. Might also be a little difference in amplifier mounting. My 59 shop manual shows it's mounted behind the left hand kickpanel and has access holes for the dim and hold screws drilled in the door jamb and covered with snap-in metal plugs. I know that 62 and later Olds mounted them behind the RH side of the dash.

Kwik Kwiz- does anyone know why Olds finally discontinued the automatic dimmer after 1970? It's worth noting that it was strictly dealer installed 67-70.

[Sgt Art]

Kwik Kwiz- does anyone know why Olds finally discontinued the automatic dimmer after 1970? It's worth noting that it was strictly dealer installed 67-70.

Conversion to the metric system?

I'm betting they got sued.

[rocketraider]

Anybody else on the Kwik Kwiz?

If not, answer tomorrow night. And no Art, for once they weren't getting sued! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Guest]

My guess would be that the Olds owners knew where the dimmer switches were and didn't need the help. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />Cadillac had to have some kind of technology edge, didn't they ? <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> My two cents, keep the change <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

[rocketraider]

Cadillac kept this gadget into the 80s. Chevrolet and Pontiac discontinued it around 1966 due to low installation rates, and Buick and Oldsmobile offered it dealer installed 67-70. They finally discontinued dealer packages in 1970. Reason?

Reflective highway signs! If you ever see a GuideMatic or Autronic Eye encounter one, you will swear it is possessed! Lo-hi, lo-hi, constantly until the car has passed the sign. And then start all over again the next one it sees.

I have seen Lincolns as late as 1978 with the eye pod mounted on the left front fender. Caddy started hiding them in the grilles or at the leading edge of the front fender crown molding in the early 60s.

[Sgt Art]

I could see where that would be annoying as hell.

I made the mistake of buying a Merc Capri the first year they came out. I was in the service and wanted a cheap car that was good on gas. Those things it did well and drove great. But, Lucas electronics! Merde! The voltage regulator (internal) would suddenly allow a huge surge of power and the I'd be getting flashed by every passing car even though I was on low beams. The amperage actually melted the light switch and I ended up replacing it with a household light switch. That car saw me through college and was traded for a new Toyota Celica (looked like a small Mustang - only made one year in that design). I think I went through something like three or four alternators with that old Capri. Eventually, Ford started using their electronics and dumped Lucas. Later I found this was the case with many English cars. I read the statement, "the English are more interested in gluing wood on the dashboard than making a decent electronic system."