49 / 50 Ford headlight switch question

Can anyone tell me how to remove the headlight switch. It's actually a 49 Meteor but I would think they're all the same. Thanks.

 

Reach up under the dash.

Find the headlight switch body.

Find the little spring loaded plunger with washer on top. (It may be between a couple of terminals or on the side or bottom. It's been a while since I pulled one.)

Depress spring loaded plunger.

While you're holding it down, pull the headlight knob/shaft straight out.

Then you can access the hold-down escutcheon so you can remove the switch body.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When you put it back together, you don't have to screw with the spring loaded plunger . . . most times.

Just push the headlight knob/shaft all the way in till it clicks.
Test by pulling out to see if the lights light and the knob/shaft stays in the switch body.

 

And if you want to take the switch out of the dash, (after removing the knob) there should be two small "notches" (on either side of the shaft) in the bezzel.

If you use a pair of needle nose pliers and insert the tips in the notches you can turn the bezzel out. (it passes thru the dash and threads into the front of the switch body)

I have a "golf spike" (for the shoe spikes) removal tool that I modified that does the job. Just be gentle; the chrome can scratch easily. There is also a locating "tab" on the front of the switch body that locates the switch in position; so DON'T try to turn the switch behind the dash.

Hope this helps; it's been a while since I've done one!!

 

I've removed lots of newer switches, but I wasn't able to find the button on this one so I thought maybe they were different. I guess I'll have another look. Thanks.

 

Mine just turns a quarter turn,then pull out. 1950 Ford deluxe.

 

Well I got the switch out and wired today. Here's the info if anyone else runs into one of these. There is no button. It's a little slot on the top that you have to put a small screwdriver in when the switch is in the off position. Then you push back towards the switch body while pulling the knob all the way out. It's just a brass flap thingee that holds it in. Took way too long to figure it out. Good thing I charge by the hour.

 

that's easy, try pulling a switch from a 42 sedan.

 

Little slot with brass strip type was used roughly '40 or '41 through about 1950--borders on hopeless if you haven't actually seen one! After that, they had the little button that was much easier to figgerout.