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how to remove control knobs 1986

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Old Nov 23, 2012 | 08:54 AM
  #1  
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how to remove control ***** 1986

I'm down to maybe 2 working bulbs in my instrument panel. Pretty dim at night and no turn signal or high beam indicators. I'll need to remove the ***** (headlight, wipers) to pull the panel. I've heard that you use a hook type gizmo to reach behind the **** and release it but I've gone through 3 home made tools with no success. Anyone have some info, or maybe a picture of what the tool looks like? This is an 86 Bronco.
 
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Old Nov 23, 2012 | 09:57 AM
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I have a 94 Bronco and it has only the headlight **** in the dash. It comes out pretty easily using a really small screwdriver or scratch awl. I just rotate the headlight **** (as if to dim the interior lights) until the slot is at the top. Then I stick the screw driver or scratch awl in the slot to release the spring tension on the metal catch. This catch is part of the **** itself. Once the spring tension is released, the **** slides right off.
 
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Old Nov 24, 2012 | 10:10 AM
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Thanks, I'll take another look at mine today. I hate working behind instrument panels and under dashboards but I'd sure like to light this thing up like it should be.
 
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Old Nov 25, 2012 | 09:20 PM
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Your 86 light switch should have a release button on the bottom, under the dash, about center of the switch assembly. Just push the button in, pull the ****, & the **** & stem slide right out. The other ***** have the spring on the backside, little flat black spring. Press on it with a flat screwdriver & **** should slip off, sometimes they are a little rusty & need to be pulled on. The ***** on the heat/AC controls work the same way.
 
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Old Nov 26, 2012 | 09:00 AM
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I'll try that. Do you know if the wiper switch has the same setup on an 86?
 
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Old Nov 26, 2012 | 09:05 AM
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For the headlight/wiper ***** on an '80 - '86, there's a release spring on the back. If you look at the rim on the back of the ****, you'll see a notch in the plastic. That's where the release spring is. Use a really small screwdriver (like on that's a mm in diameter), a dental pick, or a tiny hex wrench. Reach up through the notch, press on the spring, and gently pull on the **** and they'll pop right off. If they don't come off easily, you're probably missing the spring, or not pressing on it correctly. Takes a little practice.
 
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