Headlight switch---purists, look away!
Posted by HH56 On 2011/8/15 14:35:31
My 56 is in need of another headlight switch because the rheostat dash light contacts have corroded and oxidized --- again. Believe the corrosion is a typical non-use problem even alluded to by one of our vendors. He currently has a new switch on his store & advises purchase to "Make your dash lights work again".
Yes, I know driving and regular use might solve the issue but since the switch is hidden and the car is a garage queen, decided not to disassemble the faulty switch to try and clean it or spend $100-200 on a new or exchange headlight switch. Did that the last time it happened so this would be the third or fourth switch & they are a diminishing resource.
Having said that, decided to do the unthinkable (again) and insult my car with a ---- gasp, wait for it, --- GM switch. By doing so, am convincing myself I'm saving another real switch for the purists and can buy and replace a GM switch every year or at least as needed and not feel the least bit guilty. There was a forum discussion on Packard switch failures 2-3 years back so I can't claim credit for the idea. Someone posted a picture of a GM switch as a possibility. Not recalling having ever seen any instructions on what was needed to make the swap, decided to figure it out for myself and document a method so others can use if they want an inexpensive switch. If there is another procedure on how to do it already out there, then here is a second more long winded one.
The entire actual work took maybe an hour start to finish, looks and fits like the original and rest assured, no Packards were harmed in this exercise. All is totally removable so things can be returned to a stock switch install in minutes.
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Yes, I know driving and regular use might solve the issue but since the switch is hidden and the car is a garage queen, decided not to disassemble the faulty switch to try and clean it or spend $100-200 on a new or exchange headlight switch. Did that the last time it happened so this would be the third or fourth switch & they are a diminishing resource.
Having said that, decided to do the unthinkable (again) and insult my car with a ---- gasp, wait for it, --- GM switch. By doing so, am convincing myself I'm saving another real switch for the purists and can buy and replace a GM switch every year or at least as needed and not feel the least bit guilty. There was a forum discussion on Packard switch failures 2-3 years back so I can't claim credit for the idea. Someone posted a picture of a GM switch as a possibility. Not recalling having ever seen any instructions on what was needed to make the swap, decided to figure it out for myself and document a method so others can use if they want an inexpensive switch. If there is another procedure on how to do it already out there, then here is a second more long winded one.
The entire actual work took maybe an hour start to finish, looks and fits like the original and rest assured, no Packards were harmed in this exercise. All is totally removable so things can be returned to a stock switch install in minutes.
Attach file:
(15.64 KB)
Size: 501.30 KB; Hits: 117This Post was from: https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?post_id=83907