Headlight switch not centered

[38convsedan]

The headlight switch is not centered when in the off position. (See photo).
The lights work correctly when switch moved to both parking and headlight positions.

The spider at end of shaft is installed correctly with the retaining clip.

The headlight wiring switch is fully seated at bottom of steering column.

As always, thank you in advance!
~Steve

[Terry,OH]

Does your car have the foot operated headlight dimmer switch?

[cas3]

Since you have a convertible, you can easily pull the rod out and inspect it. I believe you will find its twisted. There is a seam running the whole length of the shaft, it should be straight, and lines up with one of the square corners that the fork goes on at the bottom.

If you try to straighten it, I suggest try to gently grab the shaft with a vice grip or pliers and not twist using the horn/light switch at the top as it is very thin metal and cracks or distorts easily.

[38convsedan]

Yes, my car has foot dimmer.

[glennpm]

I agree with Cas3 that you probably have a twisted horn rod. I had an indexing problem like you with one horn rod I had in my '32.

For straightening, pull the rod and lay it inside of a long angle iron like a bed frame. I repaired some bends in a rod in this manner. Rotate it within the angle iron and you can tell how much the horn rod seam is off. Clamp it near the horn button and twist the bottom with a wrench or vice grips to remove the twist.



If the seam is straight or you are uncomfortable with twisting it enough, you could slot the holes in the light switch bail to steering box holes as shown. Slots won't have to be long. In the modified position the rod will be twisted slightly when the balls of the light switch roll into the concave contact points. Not sure if this will work though.

[petehoovie]

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Originally Posted by 38convsedan

The headlight switch is not centered when in the off position. (See photo).
The lights work correctly when switch moved to both parking and headlight positions.

The spider at end of shaft is installed correctly with the retaining clip.

The headlight wiring switch is fully seated at bottom of steering column.

As always, thank you in advance!
~Steve

[Terry,OH]

With the foot operated dimmer switch the light switch has just three positions off in the center, right is parking and left is headlights. With the center off position slightly out of position then the body of the light switch has moved. The switch body has a raised rib to fit into the slot in the index plate on the bottom of the steering column with the two pieces fit tightly together, preventing the light switch body from turning.

[glennpm]

All of the OFF, park positions, have the two buttons vertical. It looks like 38conv's may be 15-20° CCW.

I would pull the steering rod to see what I'm dealing with.

Glenn

[38convsedan]

Thanks for your replies.
I have an extra horn button/light switch rod assembly.
I'll pull the one in the car and compare the two, focusing on the position of spider (forks) relative to the light switch position indicator spheres.
I suspect the one currently in the car has a bent rod as has been suggested...

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Terry,OH

With the foot operated dimmer switch the light switch has just three positions off in the center, right is parking and left is headlights. With the center off position slightly out of position then the body of the light switch has moved. The switch body has a raised rib to fit into the slot in the index plate on the bottom of the steering column with the two pieces fit tightly together, preventing the light switch body from turning.

[38convsedan]

Success! Pulled steering rod and straightened as suggested. Now all good!
Thanks everyone for your help!

[cas3]

Did you find it was twisted?

[38convsedan]

Yes…compared to the spare steering rod, it was twisted.

[glennpm]

Good!

Something like that can be annoying. Glad you're untwisted now.

Glenn