headlight switch help

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Dec 7, 2013 | 09:26 PM

N.W.Ford

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headlight switch help

hello, i have a 74 f250 with a bad headlight switch, so i baught a new one and it didnt come with a new stem and lock ring so i tried to make the old ones work and when i plug it in the headlights go on but i cant turn them off. i think its just a turning switch cus it doesent feel like anything when i push it in an out. please help its a daily driver, thanks

Dec 7, 2013 | 09:33 PM

montana_highboy

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From: Big Sky Country

Did you actually engage the shaft far enough so the release button catches in the groove of the shaft?

Dec 7, 2013 | 09:36 PM

mikeo0o0o0

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From: Stanley, VA

New switches don't come with the **** and shaft, you reuse the old one.
It sounds like you might have a defective switch. You should feel two clicks when you push the switch in or pull it out. First click is for parking lights, second click is headlights. Be sure the shaft is pushed all the way in and locks on the shaft. If that doesn't work I'd return it and get another one.

Dec 7, 2013 | 10:04 PM

N.W.Ford

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i pushed the shaft all the way in with the button pushed in and thers no in an out adjustment, it just pushed in an the spring pushes it out

Dec 7, 2013 | 10:32 PM

N.W.Ford

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i worked it a little and thers some in an out adjustments so i got the headlights to go on an off but the marker lights are stuck on. and the action feels really tuff, maybe its a bad switch

Dec 7, 2013 | 10:35 PM

gpence

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From: Palmyra

Push it in with a little more force once or twice. It'll click into place eventually.

Dec 7, 2013 | 10:48 PM

N.W.Ford

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ive never had a ford from this gen so correct me if im wrong but is all the way in position lights off, than one click out marker lights than another click out headlights, than twisting is dash lights?

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Dec 8, 2013 | 03:15 AM

N.W.Ford

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does anyone reproduce the rods and retainer rings?

Dec 8, 2013 | 03:35 AM

#10

blue04.5

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From: Oregon

The answers you seek...can be found
Let me google that for you

Dec 8, 2013 | 03:38 AM

#11

77&79F250

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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county

Sounds like a bad switch that rod should slip right in there and lock in place. Are you sure the lock pin is going down all the way. And does the end of you rod have a lock groove and pointed tip? Lots of after market parts reproducers.

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Dec 10, 2013 | 09:15 PM

#12

N.W.Ford

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ya it does, i got it to work right but the old one was much smoother in the switching, cus with the new one i have to tug on it with channellocks and jam it in really hard to turn it off.