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What cars have a light switch that turns, not pulls out?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Django, Mar 11, 2005.

  1. Django
    Joined: Nov 15, 2002
    Posts: 10,198

    Django
    Member
    from Chicago

    I'm looking for a headlight switch that rotates instead of pulls out. I know my old Ranger had one, but the dome light is on a dial, and I don't want that extra **** as part of the ***embly. I just want a simple rotating switch for my parking lights/headlights. Any ideas?
     
  2. Paul
    Joined: Aug 29, 2002
    Posts: 16,964

    Paul
    Editor

  3. Deuce Rails
    Joined: Feb 1, 2002
    Posts: 2,016

    Deuce Rails
    Member

    My wife had a mid-nineties Saab that had a turning light switch.
    It was black plastic, ****, though.
     
  4. overspray
    Joined: Jan 14, 2003
    Posts: 1,447

    overspray
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    49 Plymouth-I think.
     
  5. DrJ
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 9,419

    DrJ
    Member

    How about any newer car with the headlights on the T signal switch lever?
    Change the knob so it's "cool" looking and mount just the end of it in the dash with a JB Weld custom mount, or mount the whole T signal switch out of the column in or under the dash sticking out so it works too.
    It could even be mounted incon****uously under the front of the seat in some cars. Just reach down and move the lever or turn the knob...?
    I've seen a lot of "FadTs" with all the controls in the seat riser.
    I usta have my radio mounted there in my truck, but the jerky wrappers and sunflower seed shells kept jamming up the tape deck... ;)


    (What's a "dome light"? is that a "*** beer" at a football stadium?) :D
     
  6. Django
    Joined: Nov 15, 2002
    Posts: 10,198

    Django
    Member
    from Chicago

    Paul, is that any year Volvo? How do they operate the dome light or is that a seperate switch?

    Same question on the Saab.

    Knobs don't matter, as I have a plan...

    How about we call them interior accessory lights? :D

    Oh yeah, I also am looking for a simple On/OFF rotating switch, for the heater fan.
     
  7. Paul
    Joined: Aug 29, 2002
    Posts: 16,964

    Paul
    Editor

    the wife's '84? 740 Wagon has one

    the interior overhead accesory ilumination device is operated by a switch at the unit itself..

    somewhere in one of my piles of junk I have an aftermarket heater control knob from probably the thirties, a simple bakelite knob on a rheostat with an off position and a little clamp to attach it to the lip at the bottom of the dash....

    Paul
     
  8. NoSurf
    Joined: Jul 26, 2002
    Posts: 4,857

    NoSurf
    Member

    My '71 C-10 has a switch for the wipers that would work, turn for low wipe and turn further for high wipe. you could wire it so first was park light then second was head lights and park lights. the knob is held on with a little allen head set screw so you could "switch" knobs HA HA.

    My saabs have the turn to light switch also, you could bust it apart and make something work. I think all saabs 900 and 9000 would have that type switch.


    here's a 68-72 switch and knob on eGay now for 5 bucks
    [​IMG]
     
  9. Django
    Joined: Nov 15, 2002
    Posts: 10,198

    Django
    Member
    from Chicago

    I thought of a wiper switch, but can it handle the amps of the headlights?
     
  10. DRD57
    Joined: Mar 5, 2001
    Posts: 4,345

    DRD57
    Member

    my 2003 Dodge Ram pickup has a switch like that. Only the head and tail lights. The dash dimmer and cargo light are on another switch.
     
  11. 1lowtrk
    Joined: Nov 9, 2002
    Posts: 259

    1lowtrk
    Member

    Problem with the newer switches is they switch relays that then switch the headlights.So you would have to run a relay
     
  12. Smokin Joe
    Joined: Mar 19, 2002
    Posts: 3,770

    Smokin Joe
    Member

    Jeez.
    Back when I was in the Navy we found you couldn't look up common items in the parts book by their normal names.

    You'd find "flashlight" under: Illumination beam generator, portable, type A/N 933/U.
    Batteries were listed as: DC power supplies, portable, size D, 2 each.

    Only thing in the whole book listed by it's right name was: Can, ****, one each.
    That's where you wanted to throw the book until you learned how to find stuff in it.
     
  13. Django
    Joined: Nov 15, 2002
    Posts: 10,198

    Django
    Member
    from Chicago

    A relay on a new switch huh? That sounds like more wiring, and I'm trying to keep it simple.

    Here's a sneak peak at my knobs...
     
  14. Silverado
    Joined: Feb 4, 2005
    Posts: 133

    Silverado
    Member

    Newer Ford Trucks and most other new Fords.
     
  15. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 22,885

    Ryan
    ADMINISTRATOR
    Staff Member

    Knobs are perfect. I love them...
     
  16. Paul
    Joined: Aug 29, 2002
    Posts: 16,964

    Paul
    Editor

    what? didja steal 'em off Grandma's Magic Chef cook top?

    I like em!
     
  17. 1lowtrk
    Joined: Nov 9, 2002
    Posts: 259

    1lowtrk
    Member

    A three position wiper switch should work.Most have a push for washer but you just wouldn't use it. i can get ya a cat part # if ya want.
     
  18. 1lowtrk
    Joined: Nov 9, 2002
    Posts: 259

    1lowtrk
    Member

    Cole Hersee probably makes one also most auto parts stores handle them
     
  19. overspray
    Joined: Jan 14, 2003
    Posts: 1,447

    overspray
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I had to leave for a while. Here's some better pics of the Ply switch. It's 6 volt so it should take the amps and 12 volts easily. It takes bullet connectors and has 3 positions. I'm using it for -OFF-LOW-HI. The bullet type terminals on the back have spots for taillights-T-instrument panel lites-I-(same position) P-park lights ( which I'm using for low beam) and H-headlites. The stud with the nut is power in. I'm using this in my model A for a simple set-up without dimmer switch. This switch should be OK without a relay but I'm using $6 radio shack relays for the system.
    Your knob should work.

    overspray
     
  20. yorgatron
    Joined: Jan 25, 2002
    Posts: 4,228

    yorgatron
    Member Emeritus

    Lucas makes a 3 position switch
    dim
    flicker
    off
    :D old britbike joke
     
  21. I bought a '53-ish Studebaker dash out of one of the coupes that I found loose, a couple weeks ago. Headlight switch in those is a three-position toggle, in fact it has 4 switches like this paired on each side of the gauges. Interior lights are on one, I think the wiper and the heater or defrost on the others (have to go look at it again). Probably just going to hang that on the wall, but I thought it was worth mentioning.
     
  22. Bluto
    Joined: Feb 15, 2005
    Posts: 5,113

    Bluto
    Member Emeritus

    If you can get to a NAPA store get a look at the electrical Users Guide
    The have all kindda switches some very retro cause the have had em for years
     
  23. Note on the wiper switch: wipers operate by switching the NEGATIVE (that's how they get 'em to park after you've turned 'em off). My experiments with using a wiper switch for headlights caused a nervous breakdown, as the contacts never made sense (until I realised they switched negative power).

    Rotary headlamp switchs:
    Volvo (every one I've seen)
    Mercedes (at least since 1977)
    Chrysler (post war to 56??, possibly pre-war, too)
    Citroën (as a separate stalk, operates the horn; and beam switching, too)

    Rocker headlamp switches:
    FIAT 850
    Iveco truck (available at NAPA)
    Studebaker (Lark to '66)

    Relays are no big deal, and are a better bet for brighter beams as well. All you really do is run the switched lead to a relay up near the item to be switched, the power comes from a fused battery lead, the only extra lead is a ground, which you can run to the relay mount.

    Now for the $64,000 question: why not run a Twilight Sentinal?? All you need is a unit from a Caddy (almost all Caddies since 1965 have this option), a GM headlight switch, and a means of grounding one wire upon switching the ignition 'off' (all GM ignitions provide this). The units are nearly bullet proof, adn it cleans up the dash perfectly. I hid the headlight switch under the dash, where it was inconvenient, but possible, to reach. The sensor needs to read ambient light, but most cars have a speaker grille in the dash.
    For me, this is the best option, as you never forget your lights, the dash is clean, and with practice, you can 'command' the car to shut off it's lights.

    Cosmo
     
  24. gregg
    Joined: Feb 28, 2002
    Posts: 397

    gregg
    Member
    from Fulton IL

    Chad, a lot of Fords have them. If I read it right,you don't want a dome light wheel.My '92 Taurus has a turn type switch & the wheel is a separate ***embly.
     
  25. 61linc
    Joined: Apr 9, 2001
    Posts: 66

    61linc
    Member

    my 51 plymouth has the same switch as the 49.... that will most certainly work. it does have a seperate switch knob for the dome light. hope it helps.
     


  26. My wife's '97 Ford F-150 has a rotary switch.

    The '64 Studebaker Avanti and '73 Avanti II I had several years ago had neat rocker switches illuminated with red bulbs (airplane stuff).
     
  27. Django
    Joined: Nov 15, 2002
    Posts: 10,198

    Django
    Member
    from Chicago

    My friend Jason (Cueball on the rare occaision he ever posts...) sent me an email that I should not be afraid of relays. They are my friend. :D

    Wow, so alot more cars have them than I thought. Does the late model Ford stuff require a special plug?
     
  28. Django
    Joined: Nov 15, 2002
    Posts: 10,198

    Django
    Member
    from Chicago

    I think I just found one at a Caterpiller supply house site. No frills and rugged as hell. I'll keep you posted.
     
  29. Here's a sneak peak at my knobs...Attached Thumbnails[​IMG]

    __________________


    What type of Airplane did they come off of...???:cool:
     
  30. Kojack
    Joined: Feb 11, 2003
    Posts: 1,294

    Kojack
    Member

    My Kaiser does. But I think a lot of the stuff on it switched with other cars, a lot of mopars it seemed, so that one for the '49 plymouth is probably the same.
     

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