55 Dimmer Switch
#1
55 Dimmer Switch
Now that I doing some night/early morning driving, besides having dim low beams (still using 6-volt system), I think my dimmer switch needs to be replaced. When I press the button, it goes from Dim to Bright but when I hit the button again to go back to dim...the lights go out and I have to hit the switch several times to get dims. Tonight I will check the wire connections to ensure they are clean and tight but it sure sounds like my dimmer switch has given up the ghost. I may go ahead and replace the headlamp bulbs as well but realize 6-volts do tax how much brightness is delivered.
While I am here, on my drive to work, I hit a small rain shower and although my 6-volt electric wipers worked, they are pretty slow! Is this ops normal for these to behave this way? I though about shooting some lithium grease on the linkage under the dash as well. Thanks. Steve
While I am here, on my drive to work, I hit a small rain shower and although my 6-volt electric wipers worked, they are pretty slow! Is this ops normal for these to behave this way? I though about shooting some lithium grease on the linkage under the dash as well. Thanks. Steve
#2
Ha! Happened to me about a month ago. Checked the switch, there is nothing you can do to clean it or anything (unless the connections are loose), and after an exciting episode where the lights went away out in the styx on a curve, I decided to just replace it. NAPA had an exact replacement, P/N DS105, for $20 and in stock. Same switch was used '48 - '56.
On the wipers, it would pay to take the whole system out, and take off the plate on the "transmission" portion. It gets filled with grease (to a point) and the grease gets old and hard. Clean it out and re-grease, see if that helps.
On the wipers, it would pay to take the whole system out, and take off the plate on the "transmission" portion. It gets filled with grease (to a point) and the grease gets old and hard. Clean it out and re-grease, see if that helps.
#3
I tell you what...that's a bad feeling going down a dark road-especially using 6-volt headlights! I called NAPA and will be picking up a replacement dimmer switch on the way home.
With the wipers, I'll look into that but I bet it's a son-of-a-gun to reach way up there under the dash!
With the wipers, I'll look into that but I bet it's a son-of-a-gun to reach way up there under the dash!
Ha! Happened to me about a month ago. Checked the switch, there is nothing you can do to clean it or anything (unless the connections are loose), and after an exciting episode where the lights went away out in the styx on a curve, I decided to just replace it. NAPA had an exact replacement, P/N DS105, for $20 and in stock. Same switch was used '48 - '56.
On the wipers, it would pay to take the whole system out, and take off the plate on the "transmission" portion. It gets filled with grease (to a point) and the grease gets old and hard. Clean it out and re-grease, see if that helps.
On the wipers, it would pay to take the whole system out, and take off the plate on the "transmission" portion. It gets filled with grease (to a point) and the grease gets old and hard. Clean it out and re-grease, see if that helps.
#4
6 volt or 12 both put out the same candel power on the road in front of you ... however the lower voltage dosen't overcome resistance in related parts as well as 12 volt does... best thing is to actually test at the headlight sockets to see just what voltage your getting.. rusty connections/tired internal contacts in the main switch and the high low dimmer can cut actual voltage to the lights by a lot ... had a 59 VW buss that was only getting 3 volts to the lights when i got it ... talk about dims!!! check and clean ground wires.. test with both headlamps hooked up as you need to have the system loaded to get a true reading.. every connection counts as even 1 volt can make a differance
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#8
I tell you what...that's a bad feeling going down a dark road-especially using 6-volt headlights! I called NAPA and will be picking up a replacement dimmer switch on the way home.
With the wipers, I'll look into that but I bet it's a son-of-a-gun to reach way up there under the dash!
With the wipers, I'll look into that but I bet it's a son-of-a-gun to reach way up there under the dash!
#9
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#13
I suppose this belongs more in the "shoot yourself in the foot" thread as much as here, but...
When I pulled my switch out to replace it, I found that 8 yrs ago when I re-wired it, I recognized the vulnerable spot the switch is in (to dirt and water) so I took a tube of RTV and completely goobered the end of it with the connections and terminals. Let me tell you, that is some tough stuff to remove!! The terminals were spotless, tho. I was tempted to do it again with the new switch, but I could clean the terminals 4 or 5 times in the time it took me to dig that RTV off.
When I pulled my switch out to replace it, I found that 8 yrs ago when I re-wired it, I recognized the vulnerable spot the switch is in (to dirt and water) so I took a tube of RTV and completely goobered the end of it with the connections and terminals. Let me tell you, that is some tough stuff to remove!! The terminals were spotless, tho. I was tempted to do it again with the new switch, but I could clean the terminals 4 or 5 times in the time it took me to dig that RTV off.
#14
Yeah, ours are exposed on the back side of the firewall - so ya gotta do something, but it's kind of in an obnoxious place to get to.
And I don't have any inner fenders either with the full front tilt. So, I was suprised when I took that picture the other night (for Steves other post) how clean the switch still was after 17K miles now.
And I don't have any inner fenders either with the full front tilt. So, I was suprised when I took that picture the other night (for Steves other post) how clean the switch still was after 17K miles now.
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79ranger150
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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09-09-2014 12:10 PM