Headlight and dash??

[STREETREBEL]

I don't have dash lights so I took the dash out to replace the
headlight switch. I guess that is the right thing to do.
Now the really dumb question! ( Does the light switch Knob pull off? )
It doesn't want to come off. Is there a pin or something holding it?
I'm afraid I'll break it if I use pliers, but it won't come off by hand.
1967 Belvedere II.
Alos, my aftermarket oil pressure gauge sprung a leak and sprayed
oil on the back of my dash. Could that have shorted my dash?
Thanks.

 

[Slantsixdan]

The knob and shaft are snap-locked into the headlamp switch, and you can't remove the switch from the dash without removing the knob and shaft.

Disconnect the battery's negative terminal -- you'll be working behind the dash, and when you remove the knob/shaft it will turn on the lights.

The body of the switch has a small round spring-loaded pushbutton on it. It's usually on the bottom, sometimes on the side, occasionally on the top. It's about 3/16" diameter and shaped like a hemisphere. That button has to be pushed and held FIRMLY while with your other hand you tug on the headlamp knob until it comes out of the switch. Somtimes it's a struggle -- keep pulling the knob, wiggling it and the pushbutton until it releases. Once you find the button, it helps a lot if you securely tape a penny to the finger or thumb you'll be using to press it.

Once you've got the knob/shaft out, the switch is held to the dash by a collar nut. There's a special spanner for it, but if you are careful you can use a small screwdriver in the slots, carefully tapped counterclockwise with a hammer until it loosens, then turned by hand. Caution is warranted, otherwise you can slip with the screwdriver and mar the dash.

Oil doesn't cause short circuits.

 

[STREETREBEL]

Thank you very much
P.S.
I took the dash out. It should be easy now.
Should I buy one off of E-Bay?
They don't look the same.

 

[Ron of Chicago]

It will look like this. Click the picture.



Ron

 

[Slantsixdan]

Try for a good quality American- or Canadian-made switch. The ones from parts stores these days are now almost all Chinese. :-( Usually good stock of NOS American switches and such at Old Car Parts Northwest.