healight switch removal
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 262
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I have a 99.5. It's a tricky little deal... It can be done, but if you pry the faceplate too far you will break the connectors off the back that hold it on. Here goes... there are 3 "connectors" on the switch, 2 on the top and one on the bottom. They are all tied in together with the same piece of plastic. In the fully closed position (as it is on your dash now) these three tabs are fully extended to the left (drivers door) you need to pry the faceplate at the top or bottom and push one (only one necessary as they are all tied together) to the right (towards passenger door), as you go to the right this allows the three tabs to line up with three square notches in your dash panel allowing you to pull the whole assembly out (towards the back window). Sounds complicated but really isn't as this will make complete sense once you have it out and can see the back of the switch for yourself. Just be extra careful as this is not a cheap part to replace! If you pry the top of the faceplate you will find 2 connectors about an inch apart or keep it simple and pry the bottom of the faceplate and a single connector is in the center of the faceplate.
Last edited by turbostroke; Feb 21, 2006 at 06:47 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,582
Likes: 12
From: 21791
it should be in some of the gauge installation instructions on various Diesel retailers- most recommend tapping the dimmer wire at the switch.
when i removed mine, i just took a wide bladed,slotted screwdriver (flat) and pry between the dash and the housing on the switch. slight twisting motion. once on the left and once on the right and it will pull out relatively easy. there is two hookups in the rear, one for the selector ****, and one for the dimmer.
after searching, i found this. don't pay attention to the arrow, it pertains to the gauge install. if im thinking correctly, you want to pull this whole unit out, and not just the ****?
when i removed mine, i just took a wide bladed,slotted screwdriver (flat) and pry between the dash and the housing on the switch. slight twisting motion. once on the left and once on the right and it will pull out relatively easy. there is two hookups in the rear, one for the selector ****, and one for the dimmer.
after searching, i found this. don't pay attention to the arrow, it pertains to the gauge install. if im thinking correctly, you want to pull this whole unit out, and not just the ****?
Last edited by PowerstrokeJunkie; Feb 21, 2006 at 05:59 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 262
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Ford truck racer you asked about a 99 switch. DO NOT use the screwdriver attempt on our year truck or you will be buying a new switch. Believe me the back of our switch does not look like that one in the picture above. I think they changed when they started adding factory fog lights.
Last edited by turbostroke; Feb 21, 2006 at 06:22 PM.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Except for what turbostroke said.
Ok pictures tell it better than a lot of words.
The third picture my finger is pointing to one of the three release tabs. The other two are on the top. Don't pull it all the way to the right, there is a little slot in the facade that the tab needs to come out through. Get it lined up just right and the switch literally falls out of the hole.
The last picture shows the lock tooth. It's just like a standard door latch in your house.
Hope this helps.
Ok pictures tell it better than a lot of words.
The third picture my finger is pointing to one of the three release tabs. The other two are on the top. Don't pull it all the way to the right, there is a little slot in the facade that the tab needs to come out through. Get it lined up just right and the switch literally falls out of the hole.
The last picture shows the lock tooth. It's just like a standard door latch in your house.
Hope this helps.
Last edited by Kwikkordead; Feb 21, 2006 at 07:12 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 262
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
I just discovered that the little spring came loose inside. I took the switch apart and reset it. Now think that it would be a lot easier to try and push on the little tab that is on top of the switch right next to the locking tooth. Try and push on the bottom one and it will just bend the linkage inside. You can see the tabs in the last picture, kinda fuzzy but they are sticking up at the end of the angled slots.
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