'55 Ford car headlight swtich
 

Trivial thing that's driving me nuts. I stripped my '55 Ford dash bare to paint it, got everything assembled and back in it with no problems--except the headlight switch, I know the little button you push down on the switch body to take the knob and shaft out to remove it. I got it back together and reinstalled, except I can't get the knob.shaft to latch back into the switch, it just pulls out like it would if I was holding the button down to release it. What am I doing wrong?

Re: '55 Ford car headlight swtich
 

Not pushing hard enough to get it back in? Have you tried pushing the button while pushing the knob back in?

Re: '55 Ford car headlight swtich
 

I have. It won't go all the way in if I don't hold the release button down. If I hold it down and push it in, then release it, it doesn't catch and pulls all the way out just like it would if I were holding the release button down.

Re: '55 Ford car headlight swtich
 

Is there some dirt or grit in there that's keeping the shaft from sliding all the way in? Flush it out with some electrical cleaner then try again.

Re: '55 Ford car headlight swtich
 

Sure you have the same knob you pulled out?

Re: '55 Ford car headlight swtich
 

Does the shaft stay if inserted while the switch is out of the dash? It may be the switch retainer is holding the switch too far back once the switch is installed in the dash. If so, put pressure on the rear of the switch while inserting handle and see if it stays.

If not, most likely a bad switch or shaft.

Re: '55 Ford car headlight swtich
 

Had the same problem with a new switch and my original knob/rod on my '56. Finally got it to "catch and release" after I sprayed WD 40 in the switch. (this is a T Bird and the short in the light for the trans gear selector fried the original switch...beyond what is suppose to be a resetting circuit breaker....or at least that's what I read!!)

Re: '55 Ford car headlight swtich
 

Long shot thought, is the new paint thick enough the tab isn’t letting the sw seat all the way against the dash? That would effectively make the shaft a bit short.

Re: '55 Ford car headlight swtich
 

try putting it in and turning it may have a high spot on shaft

Re: '55 Ford car headlight swtich
 

It's driving me nuts. If I take the switch out, the knob/shaft will catch and release like it should but won't catch when installed in the dash.

Re: '55 Ford car headlight swtich
 

I had the same problem when I put a new switch in but used the old knob and rod. If I remember right, I really tightened the outside nut that has the goofy turning slots. I haven't taken mine back apart, but you might also file down the inner end of that chrome nut. In worse case, carefully file down (just barely) the inner end of the plastic knob. The issue is how to get the knob shaft further into the switch. Pushing outward on the switch as suggested while pushing the shaft in as previously mentioned will also help. Good luck.

Re: '55 Ford car headlight swtich
 

Just finished building a wheelchair ramp for my wife, will get back on it tomorrow and try what you suggested.

Re: '55 Ford car headlight swtich
 

On our '60, the switch has to be in the on position. Can be a pain in the ***! If in the off position I believe the catch is too far back. I insert the shaft in gently while holding the latch down and wiggle til it catches....sometimes!

Re: '55 Ford car headlight swtich
 

Still no progress. I tried another factory Ford switch that I had on hand. Here's the kicker. I have two knob/shaft assemblies. The knobs are identical, both came from '55 Ford cars. The shafts are different lengths. One is 3" from back side of the knob to the groove at the end of the shaft. The other is 2 13/16", almost 1/4 shorter. Either shaft will latch in either of the switches if the switch is out of the dash. Mount either switch in the dash, neither knob/shaft will latch in the switch with the switch mounted in the dash.

Re: '55 Ford car headlight swtich
 

Do you see any FORD ID STAMPINGS on the switch?

Just how heavy did you lay down the color?

Re: '55 Ford car headlight swtich
 

This is why i asked this question. Could you use the long shaft in the short switch? I remember this from many years ago from antics with my 54

Re: '55 Ford car headlight swtich
 

Wow. Were you a Chevy guy in a former life? With one longer and still won’t work installed there’s got to be something going on when you mount it. There can’t be that much paint. Any chance there’s a washer or something hung up behind the dash that’s stopping the switch from installing properly ?. Or you’re not installing it “clocked” correctly? Is there a tab on the switch that registers in the dash that isn’t going in? This is a real mystery.

Re: '55 Ford car headlight swtich
 

Yes, the tab on the switch is in the notch where it's supposed to be. No washer. Both switches are outwardly identical. One is the original. Parents bought the car new. One came out of a '55 that my cousin wrecked in the late '60s.

Re: '55 Ford car headlight swtich
 

I have no idea what I just did different from what I have been doing, but it just snapped in and caught like it's supposed to.

Re: '55 Ford car headlight swtich
 

Lamar, good for you. I've had my headlight switch out several times on my 42 and it seems each time I have to retrain myself!