I am having trouble understanding what is inside the light switch bulb on the bottom of the steering column on a 31 pickup. I see the disc with contacts and wires attached but what completes the circuit? Is the spider insulated from ground? Is there another part in there. I sure could use a photo of all the parts laid out or a diagram. I would like to understand the arrangement before I take it apart. I have Les Andrews Vol 1 and the usual parts catalogs but need more. Thanks...
Light switch question
- Thread starter TOMS
- Start date
howie123
Senior Member
If I remember it correctly, there is a rotating disc in the upper half of the light switch body. The spider on the end of the light switch rod engages slots in this disc. The lower disc connected to the wiring harness is stationary. As the light switch is turned, the upper disc turns. Electrical contact is made between appropriate wires for each position, (high beam, low beam and cowl light if you have them). It is really pretty simple once it's apart and you can see both halves. Hope this helps. Howie
Milton
Well-known member
"I see the disc with contacts and wires attached but what completes the circuit?"
There is a three fingered contact that completes the circuit. The contact is conected to the light switch with a two pronged spider at the botton of the light switch rod.
"Is the spider insulated from ground?"
If by spider you are referring to the triple contact, then yes it is.
"Is there another part in there."
Yes there is the two pronged "spider" that is connected to the light switch rod by the use of a spring and a small "C" clip that fits on the squared end of the rod. The spring pushes the spider against the C clip holding it in place. The two prongs fit into two slots in the triple contact.
"I sure could use a photo of all the parts laid out or a diagram."
I am attaching scans from Mac's and Bratton's catalogs that shows the bottom of the steering column parts. I have also included an A wiring diagram to show the three sets of three contacts. The center pic of the last attachment shows the triple contact.
"I would like to understand the arrangement before I take it apart. I have Les Andrews Vol 1 and the usual parts catalogs but need more. Thanks..."
I hope this isn't overwhelming, any questions just fire away.
There is a three fingered contact that completes the circuit. The contact is conected to the light switch with a two pronged spider at the botton of the light switch rod.
"Is the spider insulated from ground?"
If by spider you are referring to the triple contact, then yes it is.
"Is there another part in there."
Yes there is the two pronged "spider" that is connected to the light switch rod by the use of a spring and a small "C" clip that fits on the squared end of the rod. The spring pushes the spider against the C clip holding it in place. The two prongs fit into two slots in the triple contact.
"I sure could use a photo of all the parts laid out or a diagram."
I am attaching scans from Mac's and Bratton's catalogs that shows the bottom of the steering column parts. I have also included an A wiring diagram to show the three sets of three contacts. The center pic of the last attachment shows the triple contact.
"I would like to understand the arrangement before I take it apart. I have Les Andrews Vol 1 and the usual parts catalogs but need more. Thanks..."
I hope this isn't overwhelming, any questions just fire away.
