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51-54 head light switch
#1
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Brians51
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Before I just Buy a new one from one of the supplers.has anyone Disassembled their switch for repair?Before I remove it,I figured I would check to see if anyone else had done this repair.I have taken a few other of the switches in the car apart but they were I think a much simpler switch.than the head light switch.Mine seems to have a dead spot on it.Any Ideas anyone? Thanks. Brian

Posted on: 2009/5/31 19:50
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Re: 51-54 head light switch
#2
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Rusty O\'Toole
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You could spray the guts of it with contact cleaner or electronic cleaner spray. If that doesn't work you probably need a new one anyway.

Posted on: 2009/5/31 19:59
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Re: 51-54 head light switch
#3
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BigKev
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Might just be corrosion from sitting. Have you tried to work the switch back and forth a few times. It may knock the corrosion off.

Posted on: 2009/5/31 20:04
-BigKev


1954 Packard Clipper Deluxe Touring Sedan -> Registry | Project Blog

1937 Packard 115-C Convertible Coupe -> Registry | Project Blog
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Re: 51-54 head light switch
#4
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HH56
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There is nothing terribly complicated except for removing the rivets from ceramic section but lots of little pieces so take note when disassembling. Also be careful not to break the tabs holding the headlight block onto can.

You didn't mention what section is dead, but headlight section is usually pretty reliable. The entire front section (the ceramic area) dealing with instrument and courtesy lights is corrosion prone. The electrical path has several pieces, some with power, and some with ground and any bad area will result in problems. The rivets holding the terminals on also work loose and develop poor contact.
Back part of ceramic is the on/off for courtesy & front is rheostat for instrument lights

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Posted on: 2009/5/31 20:18
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Re: 51-54 head light switch
#5
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Brians51
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Yeah, when I take it out I was going to spray and wiggle ect.just to see if that helps.Its not good to have the head lights go out while driving down the road at night.No I dont normally drive at night but every thing should work.

Posted on: 2009/5/31 20:25
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Re: 51-54 head light switch
#6
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Brians51
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I am not sure what part is faulty.Seems to me when it quits every thing goes out. (If memory serves.)But a little wiggle and every thing comes back on.

Posted on: 2009/5/31 20:29
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Re: 51-54 head light switch
#7
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Brians51
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Thanks for the photo! I hate to spend $100.00 + if I dont have to.

Posted on: 2009/5/31 20:31
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Re: 51-54 head light switch
#8
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HH56
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Quote:
Thanks for the photo! I hate to spend $100.00 + if I dont have to.
Best to not rely too heavily on it as I just sort of laid things out. If you do take yours apart, pay particular attention to the order and orientation of the contacts in the ceramic section.

That silver box that's held on with nuts is a self resetting circuit breaker. They have been known to weaken with age and not carry the rated current, going out and then cooling down after several seconds and connecting again. If there are no poor or dirty connections to the headlights or a chance you have a short in any of the wiring, then replacing the circuit breaker might be a good step. You should be able to pick up a 30amp at a local parts store.

Posted on: 2009/5/31 20:36
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Re: 51-54 head light switch
#9
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Brians51
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Ok, Thanks I think I will get the silly thing out and spray it with CRC-5-56 first and see what that does.Maybe it is only crosion like big kev suggested.I dont know.At least that should tell me what my next step is.

Posted on: 2009/5/31 20:52
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Re: 51-54 head light switch
#10
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Brians51
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i forgot to tell you the car has a all new wiring harness.i doubt there is any trouble with that.It had this trouble before the new harness as well.My restorer said the switch was a little suspect. thanks for the tip on the circuit breaker.

Posted on: 2009/5/31 20:56
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