1952-59 Ford Light switch removal help...

All,

Still working on the wiring for my '54 Ford and I've run into another silly problem, I seem to be having trouble removing the light switch.

I've loosened the retaining nut at the front and the whole thing is loose in the opening, but I can't figure out how to either remove the knob from the shaft or remove the shaft from the switch so I can get it out of the dash.

The parts manual makes it look like the knob and shaft are removed as a unit, any ideas what I'm missing here? I don't want to force anything and break a $60 switch.

Thanks guys,
Ben

 

the shaft and knob come out as one. Put your hand up behind the dash, there is a little ****on hanging out the side of the switch body . Hold the ****on in/down and pull the knob , you should end up with the knob and shaft in your hand. Then you can remove the bezel and the switch will come out from behind.


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I think that you may have to twist off the bullet knob and then do what 4t6ford said to do. I've been able to take the bullet off by unscrewing it before

 

Awesome, thanks guys, I'll give that a try!

 

Ford and many other car makers have used the "****on" release for a long time ! Always check there before trying to twist the knob off . Sometimes you can damage the switch by twisting the knob & shaft to much one way or the other !
Just a heads up for anyone having to remove a headlight switch next time on any Ford .

Jim

 

I remember mine being a PITA, but I dont remember what I did to get it out.

 

mine was just push the ****on behind dash and pull knob and all i would try that way before i tryed twisting the knob....just my 2 cents!

 

I kind of look at things a different way then some people do . I always say , whatever you have to do , it's as easy as you want to make the job to be !
Just think about it on a positive way and if you are not sure how something works or comes apart , just either look it up in a book or on the internet and if you can't find it there , then come right here and ask all the questions you want to ! The answer is that close and that easy !

Jim

 

Sometimes you have to hold in the ****on and work the shaft in and out before it lets go,been there done that.

 

So I did finally get it out, there is in fact a small ****on on the bottom side, towards the rear (opposite side of the housing from the contacts), with the switch in the off position press on the ****on and then the shaft should release and pull all the way out. It wouldn't release in the park or headlight positions though.

Thanks guys!