The Ford Barn

bigmegina · 11-19-2023, 12:52 AM

my horn and light switch work but light switch has what seams alot of play in it.is this normal,if not possible problem and fix.thanks.

rotorwrench · 11-19-2023, 11:49 AM

I would suggest removing the light switch body from the bottom of the column and inspecting the spider ears and the mating slots in the light switch housing. If they look OK then the spider and it's spring will have to be compressed to remove the C clip that holds the spider on to the square drive of the light switch/horn rod. There may be a lot of wear on that square drive or in it's corresponding square socket in the spider.

It's bound to have some play just to fit together and function but a person should be able to detect whether that play is excessive or not.

nkaminar · 11-20-2023, 06:08 AM

When you compress the spring to take the spider off, tape or put a yard stick across the steering wheel to keep the horn/light switch from moving up. Use some strong string to compress the spring to help to put it back in.

Bigsnapper43 · 11-20-2023, 08:22 PM

After many years of talking to Jeasus while fighting the spring and horse shoe clip I bought the $7 tool. Itis the best tool I own!!!

Wick · 11-21-2023, 08:13 AM

Find a original light switch and spyder if possible, when done correctly the switch will Click when you turn the lights on. I demonstrated this to a lot of folks at Hershey this year.
Hint; find the nastiest caked on dirt and grease light switch at a swap meet, give a dollar for it!

Brentwood Bob · 11-21-2023, 12:38 PM

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What Wick said.

Rob Doe · 11-21-2023, 08:44 PM

I had a worn out aftermarket switch. It worked poorly. The switch plate on the harness was too thick. I bought a switch plate from Tyree Harris 804-556-5200, and a new, not-so-cheap light switch from one of the vendors that is made to exact specs of the Ford drawings. Be sure to get the matching bale. I still have the old harness wires, but all new switch and switch plate.

The switch plates are supposed to be .310-.315??? long term memory. Lots of harnesses with a too thick switch plate and repo cheap switches got out there. You can file the too thick switch plate and struggle or get the good stuff. I was frustrated and driving at night too.

Good luck

Bill G · 11-21-2023, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Doe

I had a worn out aftermarket switch. It worked poorly. The switch plate on the harness was too thick. I bought a switch plate from Tyree Harris 804-556-5200, and a new, not-so-cheap light switch from one of the vendors that is made to exact specs of the Ford drawings. Be sure to get the matching bale. I still have the old harness wires, but all new switch and switch plate.

The switch plates are supposed to be .310-.315??? long term memory. Lots of harnesses with a too thick switch plate and repo cheap switches got out there. You can file the too thick switch plate and struggle or get the good stuff. I was frustrated and driving at night too.

Good luck

Yep, the Tyree Harris harness is perfecto.

11-19-2023, 12:52 AM	#1
bigmegina Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2023 Location: spencerport ny Posts: 16	horn light switch play my horn and light switch work but light switch has what seams alot of play in it.is this normal,if not possible problem and fix.thanks.

11-19-2023, 11:49 AM	#2
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: horn light switch play I would suggest removing the light switch body from the bottom of the column and inspecting the spider ears and the mating slots in the light switch housing. If they look OK then the spider and it's spring will have to be compressed to remove the C clip that holds the spider on to the square drive of the light switch/horn rod. There may be a lot of wear on that square drive or in it's corresponding square socket in the spider. It's bound to have some play just to fit together and function but a person should be able to detect whether that play is excessive or not.

11-20-2023, 08:22 PM	#4
Bigsnapper43 Member Join Date: Feb 2023 Posts: 84	Re: horn light switch play After many years of talking to Jeasus while fighting the spring and horse shoe clip I bought the $7 tool. Itis the best tool I own!!!

11-21-2023, 08:13 AM	#5
Wick Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gwynn's Island Va Posts: 1,390	Re: horn light switch play Find a original light switch and spyder if possible, when done correctly the switch will Click when you turn the lights on. I demonstrated this to a lot of folks at Hershey this year. Hint; find the nastiest caked on dirt and grease light switch at a swap meet, give a dollar for it!

11-21-2023, 12:38 PM	#6
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,246	Re: horn light switch play Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) What Wick said.

11-21-2023, 08:44 PM	#7
Rob Doe Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 494	Re: horn light switch play I had a worn out aftermarket switch. It worked poorly. The switch plate on the harness was too thick. I bought a switch plate from Tyree Harris 804-556-5200, and a new, not-so-cheap light switch from one of the vendors that is made to exact specs of the Ford drawings. Be sure to get the matching bale. I still have the old harness wires, but all new switch and switch plate. The switch plates are supposed to be .310-.315??? long term memory. Lots of harnesses with a too thick switch plate and repo cheap switches got out there. You can file the too thick switch plate and struggle or get the good stuff. I was frustrated and driving at night too. Good luck __________________ "It ain't what you know for certain that gets ya in trouble. It's what ya know for certain that just ain't so!"