Headlight Switch Success!!

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The PIG Smith
Posts: 506
Joined: Sat Sep 03, 2011 10:54 pm
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana

Headlight Switch Success!!

Post by The PIG Smith »

My '86 J20 did not have any running lights.
I determined that the Headlight switch must be the issue, so I decided to replace it.
It had been highly recommended to me to gently pry off the trim without breaking any of the mounting tabs; remove the instrument cluster;
and then this switch replacement is a 5 minute job.
The idea of removing this trim scared me to death.
Can I pry off the 36ish year old, sun baked trim without breaking it? I seriously doubt it.
Will I listen to seasoned and experienced Jeep owners and not attempt this repair with the instrument cluster in place?
Come on, what do you think?

I was able to reach up under the dash and pull the plug off of the existing switch.
Using my fingers, I was able to gently pry up and release the top tab on the switch and then the lower tab...and it fell into my hand.
So, what do I do next? Install the new switch of course.
This was unwise, as I struggled to get the connector on the new switch.
I thought for a moment I was going have to risk breaking the tabs to get the new switch out, plug in the wiring harness and then reinstall the assembled switch.
While is was not easy, I was able to get the connector on the new switch with it installed.
Now, I have running lights! Success!!

Image

Image
New clean Switch, installed in dirty dash

Image
Genuine GM DELCO-REMY part
Bryan Smith
Fort Wayne, Indiana
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
- 75th Anniversary Edition - 1941 Trim Package - Recon Green --Daily Driver
1986 Jeep J20
- Super clean rig from the AZ/CA state line -- Current Project
1982 Jeep J10
- Has become a Long Term Project.
1981 Jeep J20
- Commercial flat bed - Lost in a Divorce --gone
1987 Jeep J20 Pioneer
- Former Rick Bielec aka Ricbee plow rig. Major rust!! --gone

IFSJA Member #1933 Joined November 30, 2001
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Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: Headlight Switch Success!!

Post by Yeller »

I'd be willing to bet you can carefully disassemble the original switch, clean it, lube with dielectric grease and it will work good as new as long as there aren't any broken pieces.
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909
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Topic author
The PIG Smith
Posts: 506
Joined: Sat Sep 03, 2011 10:54 pm
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana

Re: Headlight Switch Success!!

Post by The PIG Smith »

Yeller wrote: Mon Nov 07, 2022 10:40 am I'd be willing to bet you can carefully disassemble the original switch, clean it, lube with dielectric grease and it will work good as new as long as there aren't any broken pieces.
I am compelled to agree with you.
It looked rather corroded and good clean/lube would have probably fixed it.
In my other hobby, vintage computers, my electronic cleaner of choice is Deoxit D5:

Image

However, I had a nice pretty new switch is hand, so I used it.
I could have cleaned the old switch and returned the new switch, but I just plowed ahead for I wanted to get this project completed.
I had a good bit of anxiety over breaking the tabs on this brittle plastic and the headlight switch was an educated guess that it was going to solved the problem.
I did a cross reference on this switch and it GM used that switch in a gazillion cars, Chevy, Olds, Buick, Pontiac, etc...
I have some blind faith that vast numbers of that part in the wild, that the Chinesium part should be okay.

While the headlight switch solved my running lights issue, it did not solve my dash lights which I am still researching.
Bryan Smith
Fort Wayne, Indiana
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
- 75th Anniversary Edition - 1941 Trim Package - Recon Green --Daily Driver
1986 Jeep J20
- Super clean rig from the AZ/CA state line -- Current Project
1982 Jeep J10
- Has become a Long Term Project.
1981 Jeep J20
- Commercial flat bed - Lost in a Divorce --gone
1987 Jeep J20 Pioneer
- Former Rick Bielec aka Ricbee plow rig. Major rust!! --gone

IFSJA Member #1933 Joined November 30, 2001

letank
Posts: 4010
Joined: Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:16 pm
Location: SF bay area

Re: Headlight Switch Success!!

Post by letank »

Good to know about your procedure!
I need to go to the same path on the 86 project, do you remember where did you buy the switch?
thank you

Post edit: the local parts chain carries the standard brand, $17
Michel
74 wag (349 Kmiles... parked, next step is a rust free body)
85 Gwag (229 Kmiles... the running test lab)

candymancan
Posts: 3652
Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2016 11:32 pm

Re: Headlight Switch Success!!

Post by candymancan »

The olastic trim on the 80s isnt that brittle. Ive taken mine off and others eithout breaking.. its still fairly flexible. Lol. Now.. taking the switch out.. is a PITA. The dimmer switch... ive broken the plastic on the switch itself.

Side note i didnt realize they made the j20s up to 86 .. dang
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9L Limited 219k
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 I6 laredo 430k
1990 Jeep Grand Wagoneer 155k
1976 Jeep J10.. 85k(repaired)

letank
Posts: 4010
Joined: Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:16 pm
Location: SF bay area

Re: Headlight Switch Success!! Failed

Post by letank »

Success on making it work... but I broke the upper tab upon re-installation... so this is version 2.0, sub with flip switches
HDashHL10x.jpg
but it was too wiggly, I did not want to drill an extra hole, so I went w rocker switches
IDashHLfinalx.jpg
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Michel
74 wag (349 Kmiles... parked, next step is a rust free body)
85 Gwag (229 Kmiles... the running test lab)

candymancan
Posts: 3652
Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2016 11:32 pm

Re: Headlight Switch Success!!

Post by candymancan »

Thats interesting.. i noticed your intrument cluster dials arent faded at all.. Very bright orange there. First ive seen that
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9L Limited 219k
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 I6 laredo 430k
1990 Jeep Grand Wagoneer 155k
1976 Jeep J10.. 85k(repaired)

letank
Posts: 4010
Joined: Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:16 pm
Location: SF bay area

Re: Headlight Switch Success!!

Post by letank »

candymancan wrote: Sat Mar 18, 2023 11:52 am Thats interesting.. i noticed your intrument cluster dials arent faded at all.. Very bright orange there. First ive seen that
I probably gave the hands a little touch up with fluorescent model paint!
Michel
74 wag (349 Kmiles... parked, next step is a rust free body)
85 Gwag (229 Kmiles... the running test lab)
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