'55 Ford car headlight swtich

Lamar Wadsworth

Lamar Wadsworth

Senior Member
Trivial thing that's driving me nuts. I stripped my '55 Ford dash bare to paint it, got everything assembled and back in it with no problems--except the headlight switch, I know the little button you push down on the switch body to take the knob and shaft out to remove it. I got it back together and reinstalled, except I can't get the knob.shaft to latch back into the switch, it just pulls out like it would if I was holding the button down to release it. What am I doing wrong?
 
Not pushing hard enough to get it back in? Have you tried pushing the button while pushing the knob back in?
 
I have. It won't go all the way in if I don't hold the release button down. If I hold it down and push it in, then release it, it doesn't catch and pulls all the way out just like it would if I were holding the release button down.
 
Is there some dirt or grit in there that's keeping the shaft from sliding all the way in? Flush it out with some electrical cleaner then try again.
 
Does the shaft stay if inserted while the switch is out of the dash? It may be the switch retainer is holding the switch too far back once the switch is installed in the dash. If so, put pressure on the rear of the switch while inserting handle and see if it stays.

If not, most likely a bad switch or shaft.
 
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Had the same problem with a new switch and my original knob/rod on my '56. Finally got it to "catch and release" after I sprayed WD 40 in the switch. (this is a T Bird and the short in the light for the trans gear selector fried the original switch...beyond what is suppose to be a resetting circuit breaker....or at least that's what I read!!)
 
Long shot thought, is the new paint thick enough the tab isn’t letting the sw seat all the way against the dash? That would effectively make the shaft a bit short.
 
It's driving me nuts. If I take the switch out, the knob/shaft will catch and release like it should but won't catch when installed in the dash.
 
I had the same problem when I put a new switch in but used the old knob and rod. If I remember right, I really tightened the outside nut that has the goofy turning slots. I haven't taken mine back apart, but you might also file down the inner end of that chrome nut. In worse case, carefully file down (just barely) the inner end of the plastic knob. The issue is how to get the knob shaft further into the switch. Pushing outward on the switch as suggested while pushing the shaft in as previously mentioned will also help. Good luck.
 
Oldgearz said:
I had the same problem when I put a new switch in but used the old knob and rod. If I remember right, I really tightened the outside nut that has the goofy turning slots. I haven't taken mine back apart, but you might also file down the inner end of that chrome nut. In worse case, carefully file down (just barely) the inner end of the plastic knob. The issue is how to get the knob shaft further into the switch. Pushing outward on the switch as suggested while pushing the shaft in as previously mentioned will also help. Good luck.
Click to expand...

Just finished building a wheelchair ramp for my wife, will get back on it tomorrow and try what you suggested.
 
On our '60, the switch has to be in the on position. Can be a pain in the ***! If in the off position I believe the catch is too far back. I insert the shaft in gently while holding the latch down and wiggle til it catches....sometimes!
 
Still no progress. I tried another factory Ford switch that I had on hand. Here's the kicker. I have two knob/shaft assemblies. The knobs are identical, both came from '55 Ford cars. The shafts are different lengths. One is 3" from back side of the knob to the groove at the end of the shaft. The other is 2 13/16", almost 1/4 shorter. Either shaft will latch in either of the switches if the switch is out of the dash. Mount either switch in the dash, neither knob/shaft will latch in the switch with the switch mounted in the dash.
 
Wow. Were you a Chevy guy in a former life? With one longer and still won’t work installed there’s got to be something going on when you mount it. There can’t be that much paint. Any chance there’s a washer or something hung up behind the dash that’s stopping the switch from installing properly ?. Or you’re not installing it “clocked” correctly? Is there a tab on the switch that registers in the dash that isn’t going in? This is a real mystery.
 
Yes, the tab on the switch is in the notch where it's supposed to be. No washer. Both switches are outwardly identical. One is the original. Parents bought the car new. One came out of a '55 that my cousin wrecked in the late '60s.
 
Lamar, good for you. I've had my headlight switch out several times on my 42 and it seems each time I have to retrain myself!
 
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