Re: Saving the original paintwork and trunk emblem - 1951 200 barn findand

Posted by HH56 On 2019/6/16 18:39:42

The rheostat itself should not impact the headlights or any other lights as they come off a totally separate terminal on the switch. The rheostat and dash light problem is well known but if the dash lights are shorting and tripping the breaker then yes the headlights, tail and parking lights would also be affected. On the other side of the ceramic holding the rheostat the courtesy lights do have a section that gets grounded to turn them on but are powered separately from the other lights.

Here is a breakdown of the switch showing where to concentrate the cleaning for the flaky dash lights. I don't recall anyone trying grinding compound before and since the rheostat section will not come off the switch easily it may be worth seeing what it will do in getting between and cleaning the inaccessible wiper plate areas. Just be careful not to get any in the rest of the switch and use something like contact cleaner to get it completely out and off of the switch once it has done its abrasive or polishing job.

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