Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

I am planning on replacing the headlight dimmer switch in the 1941 180. Other than planning to do it, I haven't looked much at it. So a lazy question- will it be removed from inside the driver footwell or from under the car?

Every dimmer swtich I've ever seen bolts in from the underside.

To clarify, you unscrew it from above, and the switch drops down. So you will have to peel back the carpet.

Thank you. It's a To Do list item and the car is stored across town. That info will make my time there more productive when I go to do that.

I finally got the time to go to the garage with the new dimmer switch expecting to have an easy time swapping out the dimmer. Nope. I pulled back the carpet and found the attaching screws mentioned but I didn't monkey with them. After jacking the car up and putting it on blocks, I spent a long time trying to figure out where in the world the dimmer switch comes through to the underside of the passenger compartment. After lots of ups and downs going under the car and trying to determine what area corresponds with the passenger compartment location (I'm by myself) I started feeling around by going from the top via the open hood. I finally felt something that appeared to feel like the face of what my replacement switch is like. If I didn't have my phone and its camera I would never be able to see anything of the switch. I am hesitant about dropping the switch. It looks like I (hopefully) will be able to attach the wires way down in that engine bay(I put that blue tape on the wire for reference and rewiring) but my concern is getting it back to where it needs to go. Just so I know if I am on the right track here or not, is getting to this switch really supposed to be this contorting and difficult without removing the fender or am I overlooking something here? My thought is to tie a string to the new switch after I have replaced it to pull it back through the floor board (again, I'm by myself). I can't help but think that this job is a lot less complicated on the cars that are pre 1941 as the hood is cut down to the fender level whereas the 1941 has brought it up to cowl height. Any input is appreciated.

I’ve always worked by myself starting when I was 16 in the mid-‘60s on my 1939 but don’t recall the trepidation and issues you’re facing with the switch. I’ve replaced them by myself many times on my various prewar and postwar cars so I know you can do it!

What Don said. The biggest issue I have had was snug wiring wanting to pull the switch back down or rotate it. I used a length of baling wire thru one hole starting it from below to help guide and hold the switch up and then from inside use the switch foot button to hold and rotate as needed to get the first screw in before pushing the baling wire back down and out to place the second screw.

Just pass some solid bare wire thru the hole and wrap it around around the button of the switch. Pull it up into place. Place the wire on the part of the switch that is lower down once it's in the car, and it should pull right in.

I've always been able to hold the switch in place with my left hand and reach around through the open door and start one of screws with my right hand.

You could also get a couple pieces of threaded rod or long screws with the heads cut off, then do the reattaching from the top. Just thread the rods into the switch's mount holes and slide it up into place where it should say until you get around to the other side. Pulling one of the studs to hold the switch in place, remove the other and replace it with one of the screws, then do the same with the other stud. I never tried this myself but it sounds like it might be easier than using bailing wire or odd contortions to reach both sides at once.