question on dash warning light

[BarryK]

thanks yet AGAIN Paul
good to know that IF the problem is the switches the buckets don't have to come back off.

now I just have to get my car back to try to trace this problem down.

 

[stepinwolf]

Switch info

BarryK,

If the installation was done by your painter ( no dis-respect ) and he's not familair with the inner working's of these cars, it is quite possible that they might have been over tightned, limiting the mouvement of the plunger in the switch. It is possible ( check inclosed photo ) to access these switches without the removal of any headlight parts, however I don't wish to imply that it will be easy. By using a light source, a mirror, and a bit of patience, they are accessable.

Before working on them however, it will be necessary to remove any pressure that might be on the switch, by slightly opening ( or closing ) the headlight buckets, which ever is the case, so that the Y-stop is not in contach with the switch itself.

The use of any large tools, or screwdrivers in this limited space is a no-no, :nono so before going any further you might want to get your hands on a small 1/4" drive reversable wrench, along with a short 1/4" size socket, that you will need if you must loosen or remove these screws.

I would also strongly recommend that you pay a little visit, and discuss the switch issue with your painter, before undertaking and serious work. See if he remembers their installation , and if the smooth operation of the plunger was verified, once the switch was mounted, and tightned down in it's proper position. Just a thought,,,

Stepinwolf

 

[BarryK]

Step
My painter has done probably hundreds of midyears and is very familar with them and the headlight bucket assemblies BUT anything is possible and I imagine it's not hard to accidently overtighten the switch when installing it.

When my car is back from my mechanic I'll start tracing down this problem. if it looks like it's the switches itself than I'll check back on here for further directions. It doesn't look like it's too easy to work up in that area.
The pics from John and you are going to be a huge help though so I know what I'm looking for and what I SHOULD be seeing under there.
Thanks again!

 

[Ron Miller]

I'd bet on one of the wires not being connected at the microswitches (each switch has two connections), or one of the Y-stop bolts isn't contacting the button on one of the switches; the switches are wired in series, so it only takes one non-functional switch to make the circuit inoperative. In the photo below, the microswitch connectors are the light blue ones at the extreme right and left of the photo (you're looking at it through the radiator opening).

May be wrong, but I believe on my '66 the wiring diagram shows the switches wired in parallel, i.e., either switch can ground the circuit causing the warning bulb to burn. Then, it would take a wire at each respective switch off to prohibit the bulb from burning.

I also doubt the bulb is burned out, though. I'd check power thru the circuit, perhaps the firewall connector as a start.

 

[BarryK]

well, I just got back from the mechanics place and the car was up on the lift so I was able to see where the switches were thanks to JohnZ and Stepinwolf but it was dark under there and I didn't have a flashlight to see much detail. I'll have to wait until I get the car back before really digging into the problem.

Ron: I'm inclined to think it's not the bulb either but I'll have to wait and see until I start digging around the car.

 

[Ron Miller]

With a small mirror and a flashlight you can see the connections under the header panel with the hood raised, easy way to check!! (With the car on the ground.)

 

[BarryK]

ahhhhhhh but it was even easier to see (except for lack of light) while it was up on the lift!

 

[Ron Miller]

ahhhhhhh but it was even easier to see (except for lack of light) while it was up on the lift!

. . . but much harder to get to with tools and hands, as best I remember . . .

You'll get it, though!!!

 

[stepinwolf]

First things first

ahhhhhhh but it was even easier to see (except for lack of light) while it was up on the lift!

Barry, before ever sticking your hands anywhere with the hood raised, lock the hood support with a small bolt, otherwise, instant amputation :ugh

Stepinwolf

 

[BarryK]

Ron
we will see if I get it....... time will tell

Step
thanks for the reminder! we all know my luck so that's a safety tip I'll be sure to follow.

 

[JohnZ]

May be wrong, but I believe on my '66 the wiring diagram shows the switches wired in parallel, i.e., either switch can ground the circuit causing the warning bulb to burn. Then, it would take a wire at each respective switch off to prohibit the bulb from burning.

Yup, musta had my hat on backwards :eyerole - corrected my post.

 

[stepinwolf]

Yup, musta had my hat on backwards :eyerole - corrected my post.

JohnZ,

If we don't do any work, never speak our minds, or even pen a few lines for that matter, we can NEVER screw up.

It's a good thing we live dangerously

Stepinwolf

 

[67HEAVEN]

I'll take ten guys who post "usually" correct answers against a thousand who never say anything.

 

[BarryK]

 

[Ron Miller]

I'll take ten guys who post "usually" correct answers against a thousand who never say anything.

Me too!!!! And nobody I've seen so far has the photos to match the posts like JohnZ!!