stupid GM headlight switch question

I bought a GM style headlight switch from So Cal, and I took the knob shaft out but can't get it back in. I know its something stupid and simple because I've done it before, But this one won't cooperate with me. What am I forgetting?

 

wiggle it around, twist it back and forth, and push it in!

although if you put a small bit of oil on the end of the shaft it might do wonders

 

Trust Squirrel. He is my neighbor and has helped me fix GM stuff for the past 10 years. If he says it, take it to the bank.....

 

that hasn't worked too well so far

 

There should be a release ****on on the switch body. You may have to push it in while you're inserting the shaft. Good luck.

 

That's pretty funny Ken, seeing how bad I messed up helping you get your GM headlight switch wired!

 

What I have to offer is this: these so-called "GM" headlight switches are made somewhere else in the world by pre*****cent dehorns. I acquired one with my Painless kit....same problem you're describing although sometimes it wouldn't come out, sometimes it wouldn't go back in. Painless sent me a new one immediately - still same problem and the one I sent back also caused them no end of consternation. The guy at Painless went to his shelves and opend about a half-dozen or so switches, and none of them worked flawlessly. I think "outsourcing" has finally lost its luster.

dj

 

What application is the switch for?

I just bought a GM headlight switch for my Nova (mfg in Mexico) and it has a "detent" pin that must be in the "out" position to remove / replace the rod / knob ***embly, then you push the detent pin "in" to secure it. Let me know if you want some pictures.

Good luck !

 

***uming the plunger is out, De-burr the end with fine sandpaper and
grease sparingly .Reinsert and just as it stops,depress ****om on the bottom.
It should then engage.
it should not need to be forced.

 

I used a Headlight Switch, from well........ the Chevy Dealer. Mine has a little ****on thingy you have to push in to release the knob and shaft. I dont remember pushing it to get the shaft back in though, but Im sure it wouldnt hurt. Hopelfully this is of help, probably not though.

 

Had the same problem and seems that the end of the pushrod pushed the slide in but did not engage the detent. Slide was too far in at this point and the rod would not go in far enough to engage the detent. Ended up unbending the tabs and carefully opening the switch and fixing the problem. Found that the triangle rod must be aligned or it would push the slide in without engaging the detent.

 

Been there, done all that you all describe. I too had a Painless harness... Their switch was made in Mexico. It was total junk. I went to Auto Zoned and got one of theirs, it was made in Taiwan....It wasn't much better. Went to Car Quest and got the third - made also in Taiwan, and it worked especially after Squirrel and I got the power right.... Outsourcing is not the way to go....but nothing is made in the U.S. anymore unless one of us makes it..
The only way to get the knob in any of them was to push it in, and twist it and wiggle it until it finally caught on the slide. I will say, the switch from Car Quest would more readily release the knob than the others. The original I had to take apart in the dash to finally get the knob to release. The little triangle hole was mis aligned in the catch and once it was in, it wasn't coming out...

Ken