Dimmer switch replacement

[hdkeno]

My newly aquired 81 runs great except for one thing. No interior lights.
Checked the fuse,not blown. A friend suggested a bad dimmer switch.

Anyone know how to change that on a 81? Thanks Ken

 

[kiwi vet]

Please dont be offended but

Did you try either of the following.

Turning the light switch to raise the lighting on the dimmer?

if this fails.............Replacing the bulbs?

Sorry for the obvious if you knew, but I didnt know about the dimmer turn on light switch when I got my 81, and didnt have hand book, and it took a while to find it.

Hmmm.........Dont know if I should have admitted that?

Grant

 

[bill81vette]

on alot of the newer vehicles the dimmer switch is seperate from the headlite switch,so if some of our younger members don't know it,they wouldn't think to look there.no big deal
don't be afraid to ask!thats what were all here for .



bill........

 

[hdkeno]

dimmer switch

I did turn the headlight switch both ways until it clicked. no dimmer.

Is there another switch instead that controls the interior lights? Thanks

Ken

 

[jdp6000]

The dimmer is part of the switch. Its easy to replace. Take the cover off just below the steering column so you can look up and see the switch. There is a button on the switch that needs to be pushed in to release the knob/shaft. Other then that everything else is straight forward...unplug wires,vac lines and rim move the trim ring (on the outside).

Jim

 

[Sensei]

I wouldn't go out to buy that new switch just yet. These old cars have the most bizarre problems crop up. Mine had no interior lights. I looked and there were no bulbs (thanks Bubba!). I replaced the bulbs to find that they would not go off. Then I had a heck of a time tracing down the shorted wires that were causing the problem. Then the switch wouldn't turn them on. I took it out to find the contact dirty. Cleaned it up and everything worked perfect.....for about a week. Then the overhead light came on and would not go off...I pulled out the bulb. I guess there's a little Bubba in us all. Good luck and God bless, Sensei

 

[kiwi vet]

Then the overhead light came on and would not go off...I pulled out the bulb. I guess there's a little Bubba in us all. Good luck and God bless, Sensei[/quote]

I've got one of those!
Still havent cracked it, and at this stage have used the same solution to fix it - LOL
Grant

 

[jdp6000]

You can also try disconnecting the dimmer relay. It cigarette pack shaped and plugs into the fuse panel...if its like the 1982. Unplug it from the fuse panel but do not disconnect the wires that go to it. See if there is any change.

Jim