The Ford Barn

Feathercraft56 · 11-19-2021, 10:12 PM

Hello. I have a 1934 fordor and my headlight switch rotates with the steering wheel and at time turns my headlights off. What if any is the cure??
Thanks for any advice.
David

cas3 · 11-19-2021, 10:31 PM

Most likely the last time someone had the horn/light switch out they bent the rod. It goes all the way thru the steering shaft to the switch at the bottom of the steering box. If you try to remove it without having an open roof, there is not enough room to get it out without cheating, as in bending it. They must be straight. To fix, you would need to unbolt the column at the dash, and where the box bolts to the frame so you can tip it down enough to remove, straighten, and put back in without bending it. I am not familiar with a 4 door, you may not have enough room yet, and have to fully remove the steering box. Others with more experience will chime in, but thats the basic idea

Tinker · 11-19-2021, 10:35 PM

As cas said. If it's bend.. yikes good luck!

Really the only good way to pull it out is to drop the column and loosen the box. It's just lazy otherwise.

Feathercraft56 · 11-20-2021, 12:54 AM

Could a Slightly loose steering column cause it?? Thanks so much for the advice.

cas3 · 11-20-2021, 01:02 AM

No. The column has nothing to do with it, the rod runs thru the center of the shaft the steering wheel is mounted to

deuce lover · 11-20-2021, 01:57 AM

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51 MERC-CT · 11-20-2021, 04:11 AM

Something is binding between the switch/rod and the column shaft.
Whether bent, corroded or just debris causing the binding, only you can determine what it is by dismantling and inspecting.

David J · 11-20-2021, 09:46 AM

Could just need to be cleaned out . Sticky old grease between the tube - shaft and the switch rod can do this also . My phaeton had this issue a little and brake cleen cured it . As m,entioned your roof may cause issues pulling it out . No problem on mine with the top down .

ford38v8 · 11-20-2021, 11:32 AM

I’ve had mine out, but then, I have a convertible coupe. As I understand, a coupe with a roll down rear window can do it also, but all others need to loosen steering box bolts, and drop the column to allow movement to exit the open drivers door. Someone said lazy? No, just one method of getting the job done.

38bill · 11-20-2021, 12:10 PM

You could try pulling the horn horn shaft out/up as high as you can. Then wipe it off and spray something like WD40 or maybe a dry silicon spray on it. If it ends up still sticking than you have to remove the entire rod which will require dropping the column. If the rod has been bent it can be a bugger to get it to stop sticking.

11-19-2021, 10:12 PM	#1
Feathercraft56 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Posts: 28	Headlight switch rotates when steering wheel is turned Hello. I have a 1934 fordor and my headlight switch rotates with the steering wheel and at time turns my headlights off. What if any is the cure?? Thanks for any advice. David

11-19-2021, 10:31 PM	#2
cas3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: sw minnesota Posts: 4,567	Re: Headlight switch rotates when steering wheel is turned Most likely the last time someone had the horn/light switch out they bent the rod. It goes all the way thru the steering shaft to the switch at the bottom of the steering box. If you try to remove it without having an open roof, there is not enough room to get it out without cheating, as in bending it. They must be straight. To fix, you would need to unbolt the column at the dash, and where the box bolts to the frame so you can tip it down enough to remove, straighten, and put back in without bending it. I am not familiar with a 4 door, you may not have enough room yet, and have to fully remove the steering box. Others with more experience will chime in, but thats the basic idea

11-19-2021, 10:35 PM	#3
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: Headlight switch rotates when steering wheel is turned As cas said. If it's bend.. yikes good luck! Really the only good way to pull it out is to drop the column and loosen the box. It's just lazy otherwise.

11-20-2021, 12:54 AM	#4
Feathercraft56 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Posts: 28	Re: Headlight switch rotates when steering wheel is turned Could a Slightly loose steering column cause it?? Thanks so much for the advice.

11-20-2021, 01:02 AM	#5
cas3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: sw minnesota Posts: 4,567	Re: Headlight switch rotates when steering wheel is turned No. The column has nothing to do with it, the rod runs thru the center of the shaft the steering wheel is mounted to

11-20-2021, 01:57 AM	#6
deuce lover Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern France Posts: 5,301	Re: Headlight switch rotates when steering wheel is turned Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) ...

11-20-2021, 09:46 AM	#8
David J Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: St Croix Falls WI Posts: 2,080	Re: Headlight switch rotates when steering wheel is turned Could just need to be cleaned out . Sticky old grease between the tube - shaft and the switch rod can do this also . My phaeton had this issue a little and brake cleen cured it . As m,entioned your roof may cause issues pulling it out . No problem on mine with the top down .

11-20-2021, 11:32 AM	#9
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,635	Re: Headlight switch rotates when steering wheel is turned I’ve had mine out, but then, I have a convertible coupe. As I understand, a coupe with a roll down rear window can do it also, but all others need to loosen steering box bolts, and drop the column to allow movement to exit the open drivers door. Someone said lazy? No, just one method of getting the job done. __________________ Alan

11-20-2021, 12:10 PM	#10
38bill Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,165	Re: Headlight switch rotates when steering wheel is turned You could try pulling the horn horn shaft out/up as high as you can. Then wipe it off and spray something like WD40 or maybe a dry silicon spray on it. If it ends up still sticking than you have to remove the entire rod which will require dropping the column. If the rod has been bent it can be a bugger to get it to stop sticking.