low beams don't work, high beams do?

[TWINRAY]

On my '69, I have done single headlight conversion back in the 70's. My guess to this problem is the headlight switch. I've had an issue with the switch going back to almost when I bought the car (1973). Most times I put the headlights on, the interior dash lighting does not go on. I have to turn the headlight switch rheostat to the full on position (to keep the interior courtesy lights on) and then switch it off. When I do this, the dash lights stay on. My guess now is that the switch has just bummed out. Or could it be the floor bright dimmer switch? Help please!

 

[WARVET]

Your light switch is for sure bad with your dash lights working like that. I had no dash lights, and after replacing the switch they work great!
On the other hand you high beam vs. low beam problem is most likely not the switch, but the dimmer switch on the floor.

 

[TWINRAY]

Thanks - anyone else other than these 2 items because I want to order them today? And BTW, what kind of a job was it to replace the switch

 

[WARVET]

Replacing the switch is easy as long as you have hands the size of a baby. What I did was unscrewed the dash panel over the steering wheel (this requires unscrewing many pieces of the dash). Then I tilted the dash pad up toward the winshield and tilted the front panel toward the steering wheel. This gave me just enough room to remove the switch and put the new one in. To get the switch out you have to pull the knob out of the unit. To do this you press down on a small button on the switch itself and it lets the knob out. I practiced on the new one before I took the old one out.

 

[TWINRAY]

Replacing the switch is easy .......

:L I have learned years ago that what you think is the simpliest job that, it being a Corvette, ends up to be a real BB:bang

Regards, Fred

 

[srs244]

just a suggestion about removing the knob and shaft assembly. i had a problem with mine (please forgive what seems to be an inaccurate description, but it was a while ago that i had to remove it). the headlight knob/shaft assembly needs to be either fully extended (the full on position) before you depress the button to remove it, or the full off position before you depress the button. i just don't remember which. i do know, however that the release button will only free up the shaft in one position. as suggested, play with the new one you get (if you get a completely new switch/knob assembly).

 

[TWINRAY]

Thanks for the suggestion. I will wait till Monday to place my order since I have to do some brake/rotor work and may need other parts and will place one larger order.

 

[goertz]

sounds typical of the dash lights with a bad switch. the low beam/high beam issue is definately the foot switch, no ifs ands or buts about it.

 

[TWINRAY]

sounds typical of the dash lights with a bad switch. the low beam/high beam issue is definately the foot switch, no ifs ands or buts about it.

If, and, but

I replaced the dimmer switch and unfortunately, that is not the problem. Still have brights only and when the switch is hit for the brights to go off, I just have the parking lights. Going to try locally for a headlight switch as my guy in town has no listing. Otherwise it's Corvette Central or Zip. Thanks.

 

[TWINRAY]

Problem fixed. Fixed I cleaned up a ground connection. No change. Then I grabbed the wires where they were spliced when the twin headlights were converted to singles. Gave them a coupla of squeezes. Wolla. Will resplice all these and they should last for another 30 years.