Headlight Problems & Switch Shaft Removal

[OUR5T8BIRD]

My 65 Landau just failed it's UK MOT road test because of faults on the headlights. There is no low beam and when I press the foot switch to activate high beam both lights on the passenger side go out.

I have remade fresh and good earth connections on both sides and checked the condition of the reb/black wire which i believe powers these lights. Everything in the engine bay seems Ok.

Now I need to check at the headlight selector switch, but I cannot get it off the dashboard, despite following the manual's instructions. I cannot get the knob out to start it's removal. Any suggestions?

Should I also suspect the foot switch as it's use is when the high beam goes wrong?

Definitely make sure the dimmer switch is clean of corrosion and working . If not it will create high resistance and the circuit breaker in the light switch will open causing the lights to go out
and back on repeatedly . From your other post, yes there is a spring loaded button on top of the switch to depress to pull out the knob/shaft .

[billy whizz]

Thanks

I have just found this thread after searching for solutions for my 65 Bird.

Is the removal of the selector knob the same as this 59 unit?

Does the 65 switch have fuses mounted onto it in a similar way?

I hope to retain the original switch as, being in the UK, parts are expensive due to shipping charges. Mac Auto's want about $90 for a new switch but would also charge about $60 to ship it to me.

Where else can I go for a cheaper supplier who ships internationally?

[billy whizz]

Headlight Problems & Switch Shaft Removal

My 65 Landau just failed it's UK MOT road test because of faults on the headlights. There is no low beam and when I press the foot switch to activate high beam both lights on the passenger side go out.

I have remade fresh and good earth connections on both sides and checked the condition of the reb/black wire which i believe powers these lights. Everything in the engine bay seems Ok.

Now I need to check at the headlight selector switch, but I cannot get it off the dashboard, despite following the manual's instructions. I cannot get the knob out to start it's removal. Any suggestions?

Should I also suspect the foot switch as it's use is when the high beam goes wrong?

[simplyconnected]

Thank You, Nyles. You know, I write these in-depth articles so that restorers don't have to break their switch.

I guess the wise ones carefully follow the directions and the others are destined to buy new. Too bad for them. This broken switch cost Ray fifty bucks. So unnecessary. - Dave

[Tbird1044]

Dave:
What an excellent write up and post. I learned a lot by reading through it. I would have never known you can remove the rheostat to clean it, and was even more amazed that you found a new one from Ford. Great.
A friend is having trouble with his switch, so now I will knowledgeably tackle fixing it.
Thanks
Nyles

I went ahead and broke off the knob so i can remove the special nut holding it in place. The knob is like 5 dollars. Easily replaceable. I am in the process of removing the dash pad and the metal dash frame.

[simplyconnected]

When Ray's mechanic gorilla-ed his switch and broke it, he couldn't do it either. There IS a trick to this. I covered it in the TRL:
Click HERE and go to picture #18
"The Knob Stick should ONLY be inserted or removed when pushed all the way IN, then the RELEASE BUTTON is pressed."

You can see that the internal 'slide' needs to be out of the way before the button can release the handle. - Dave

[Tbird1044]

I tried getting one apart and finally gave up and cut the shaft on the knob assembly. A new knob with shaft is $10, and the new one looks really nice. I was able to get things apart, once I got the switch out of the dash.
Nyles

[YellowRose]

Headlight switch shaft removal

As I recall, that silver button you see in the middle, was broken on mine and I could not get the shaft to lock into place. I had to replace that switch. You have a situation where you can't get the handle to release it seems. Keep trying and see if you can get that silver spring loaded button to go down and release the shaft. Let us know how you make out.

Yes I am pushing in the button. Let me keep trying

[jopizz]

That's basically it. Try pushing and pulling on the knob while you push the button in. Sometimes they can be stubborn. Are you sure you are pushing in the right place. The button is in the center of the switch between the contacts.

John

Having a hard time trying to remove the headlight switch. When I push the button in on the back of the switch and pull on the shaft it will not come out. What is the exact procedure to take it out?