Technical 64 Galaxie light switch stuck

The light switch on my 64 is stuck in the closed position. Nothing I do seems to free it up. The switch has a little ****on on the backside of the dash that you can press in and pull the knob at the same time and that is supposed to enable you to remove the knob. No amount of trying that tactic works. I can't change the switch until I can remove the knob, at least I don't think I can.

 

Normally that little spring ****on is used by pulling out the headlight switch knob to it's fullest, depressing the ****on and slightly pushing in the switch knob and gently pulling the knob and shaft out of the switch. But if you can't get the knob out the ****on is going to be of little help, I think.

You can always cut off the knob with a thin Dremel blade. Of course, you will need to buy a new shaft and knob (as getting that bit of shaft out of the knob after cutting it off would take more effort than a new knob would cost.

Maybe someone will have a better idea that utter destruction, but I like destruction.

 

Troy,
Yes, you will need to remove the shaft to get the switch out as the bezel needs to be unscrewed using a wide flat blade screwdriver. Nice thing is there is ample room under the dash. Try a little WD-40 on the release pin, allowing it to have time to soak in. Then gently push in on the knob while pressing in the pin. Should release. If not, cut the shaft as Billy said, but you will have to use a pair of needle nose pliers or make a tool to straddle the shaft to turn the bezel.

 

I agree with you. Probably the only option.
Thank you

 

From the 62 service book (step 1 was disconnect the battery)

 

Had the same problem on my 63.5 Galaxie. Ended up having to pry the knob off the shaft, remove the nut holding the switch and removing as normal. While I was prepared to replace the shaft/knob ***embly it turned out that a bit of JB Weld stuck the knob back to the shaft just fine. Soaked the shaft in the switch with some penetrating oil and was able to pop it out after a while. It was rusted pretty firmly.

 

I have had good luck getting the knob off...by using a heat gun till it is soft enough to pull off the shaft. It is a press fit on barbs or ribs (usually). May be easier than whacking it off and you may save the knob and possibly the shaft after it sits in lubricant for a bit.

 

Thanks. Sure worth a try

 

I will try this first. Hopefully this evening and get back. Thanks !

 

Well, nothing worked. Heat nor penetrant. Only thing I know to do now is put a grinder and a dremmel to the knob and obliterate it.

 

It happened to me on my 64 marauder and I sprayed some kroil and broke the knob with channel locks and wiggled it till the shaf came out YOU CAN WD40 OR ANY OTHER PENETRANT OIL