Light Switch Housing: Repo Prob?
 

I am trying to trouble shoot a long-term headlight switch issue which seems worse now that I rewired my car.

I have a new wiring harness (which is from Sacramento Vintage Ford -- who I understand makes "a very good replacement harness"). I used the light switch housing that came with the car. I am wondering if I have two mismatched housing pieces. The bumps in the lower part of the housing (the part that holds the wire harness) never really fit properly into the groove on the upper part of the housing (the part closer to the steering column). I can get the bottom part to slide into the top part but can't seem to twist the pieces in a way that allows them to "lock" -- even with some real pressure to push them together. I suspect the bottom part doesn't goes deep enough into the upper part to let them twist and lock. Has anyone see this problem before? Are there any easy fixes? Are the housing parts "original" and "correct"?

Thanks,
Seth

Re: Light Switch Housing: Repo Prob?
 

Don't force them together, you should call Berts in Denver to find an original complete switch and spend the time to hook it up especially since this has been a problem and you use your headlights at night!

Re: Light Switch Housing: Repo Prob?
 

you might well have mis-matched parts, looking at the plating on each. the lower section is less likely to get changed through ownership history, since you have to drag the whole wiring harness through it.

I have had the same difficulty and I have to sand the edge of the bottom piece very lightly to get it to insert into the upper piece, plating be damned. I also put a tiny bit of lubricant on that edge. At best it is a tight fit and I had to push/twist like hell to get it to fit and lock.

I also sanded the switch plate circumference on the end of the harness so it goes into the lower section easier and did not distort the part it fits into.

If I were you I would simply buy a repro of the entire switch, and get it to fit together while off the car.

Re: Light Switch Housing: Repo Prob?
 

i have had bad luck with the repo light switch and ended up using original..

Re: Light Switch Housing: Repo Prob?
 

I've had to fight a couple to get the bottom cup to push the wiring plate tight to the lip in the upper half, but I've never had to file or sand to get the job done. I also like to use original parts when possible.

Re: Light Switch Housing: Repo Prob?
 

Us too. The reproduction ones are pathetic.

Re: Light Switch Housing: Repo Prob?
 

once i do get the light switch together then the bail wire sucks and the detent on the light switch body leaving it flopping around...

thats one repo part that can be vastly improved and shouldnt be that diificult to accomplish

Re: Light Switch Housing: Repo Prob?
 

It will cost the one who is reproducing it to much money to do it right.

Pluck

Re: Light Switch Housing: Repo Prob?
 

I agree and often have to bend the bail wire to make it tighter. I don't see why making it right would cost more or be any harder to make.

Re: Light Switch Housing: Repo Prob?
 

this is just my personal observation but this might be one of he few repro parts that was made better in the '70s than now. Also in that league are the terminal boxes that the catalogs say don't fit the firewall holes, and the '29 hood shelves that have incorrect hole spacing on them.

Re: Light Switch Housing: Repo Prob?
 

the new terminal boxes are fine now and they also are revised so as not to ground out on the firewall.... i got mine from Brattons...
as far as the 70's era light switch assys i was to young so i have no idea if they were better...