Headlight switch: pulled the plunger out

[Daryl]

I pulled the headlight switch out with the usual amount of pull to turn on the headlights the other morning at Oh-dark-thirty and (surprise!) the plunger pulled all the way out and I'm left holding it in my hand! I was able to put it back in, felt it "catch" a bit, then carefully and slowly pulled it back out and the lights activated. Did the same slow, easy, "finesse-type" pull again the next morning, and the lights activated again.

Is this a sign that my headlight switch is crapping out? Maybe inside the switch where the tip of the plunger has that beveled edge isn't catching on the spring or bracket it sticks into? Or is this NOT a sign of a failing switch at all?

I unscrewed the gauge panel and because of the additional gauges, the panel itself doesn't pull away far at all. So, I was unable to pull the switch out without dicing and splicing all the gauge work I've just recently had done. And you guys know me.... I have ZERO electrical knowledge/experience. ;-(

 

[lwarrior1016]

Did the whole center rod come out or just the knob come off?

 

[shurur]

Switch is probably fine.

Just the knob and its catch is tired. Salvage yard, ebay, LMR, CJPpony or a dab of PERMATEX adhesive silicone will fix it.

 

[ttocs]

the knob is held on by a small spring that can eventually crack the side of the plastic housing and cause this problem. If you look inside the hole of the knob you should be able to see it, if not then look at below the switch and it is just a small half round piece.

 

[Daryl]

Did the whole center rod come out or just the knob come off?

The whole center rod

 

[Daryl]

Switch is probably fine.

Just the knob and its catch is tired. Salvage yard, ebay, LMR, CJPpony or a dab of PERMATEX adhesive silicone will fix it.

Worth taking a shot with the PermaTex if I might have to replace it anyway. If it works, save $$

 

[Pallgor]

I got my knob on amazon

 

[maillemaker]

If the whole rod pulled out just buy a new switch. I replaced mine from one from Oreilly's.

 

[Daryl]

For whatever reason, it’s working fine now. Maybe it wasn’t pushed in all the way from the last time I had the gauge bezel off?? IDK

 

[Pallgor]

That’s what it was. Good luck

 

[maillemaker]

The whole center rod

The whole center rod should never come out, even when removing the bezel. Only the knob comes off. If you yanked the center rod out of the switch, I still suspect a bad switch.

 

[07GtS197]

If the headlight switch for these cars are like others that operate the same from other models, there is a button either on the side or bottom that will release the plunger when depressed.

 

[Daryl]

If the headlight switch for these cars are like others that operate the same from other models, there is a button either on the side or bottom that will release the plunger when depressed.

Yes, correct! I’m aware of that but whatever the case, it’s all good now

 

[maillemaker]

If the headlight switch for these cars are like others that operate the same from other models, there is a button either on the side or bottom that will release the plunger when depressed.

Yes, as I recall, when you replace the switch you have to transfer the shaft.

 

[ttocs]

on mine you had to remove the plastic knob and transfer it but the shaft was part of the switch

 

[maillemaker]

Here is the one I bought from Oreilly's. No shaft.

Well, I can't remember if it was the 7 or 9 terminal switch but anyway they both do not come with a shaft.

 

[Daryl]

Mine seems to be working fine again. For no apparent reason! Maybe they didn’t push it all the way in to the “click” when they had the gauge bezel off. IDK, but it works fine now

 

[ttocs]

I could have sworn mine had the bar in it, but it has been a while since I had that switch in the dash.