Replacing Headlight switch on 81 Spider

[berarco2000]

Hi guys, Has anyone ever replaced the headlight switch? Is it best to go under the dash or do I have to unscrew the wood part where the speedometer is??

Cheers

CB

[spider2081]

I believe most common way is to remove the instrument cluster. To do this you need to lower the steering/signal assembly.

I changed mine by
1. Disconnect battery because the parking light side of switch is hot all the time.
2. tape a 3 foot long string to the bat in the switch.
3. Remove nut holding old switch in place.
4. Push switch back.
5. Get your head under panel and gently pull old switch out by its wires behind fuse panel.
6. change one wire at a time to the new switch.
7. Remove string from old switch and tape string to new switch
8. use string to help reposition new switch close toward the panel hole. You have to feed wires as you gently pull on the string.
9. Once the switch is close to the hole use a pair of needle nose pliers to pull switch in place.
10.Slide nut back on and tighten
11. connect battery.

If it doesn't work you have to take out the dash.

[RRoller123]

On a side note, my switch works when pushed DOWN, first toggle stop is parking, next down is lights. It seems intuitively backwards to me, i.e. UP should be ON, and I wonder if maybe the switch was just put in upside down? How are yours set up?

Pete

[DocGraphics]

Mines the same, up for off...go figure

[RRoller123]

When I veneer the dash, I am going to turn it around. It pisses me off. LOL.

[spider2081]

The switches in my new 500 work similar. Up is off. I get confused going between my Ford and my Fiat and they are both "F" cars. "F" as in fun.

[donm]

I'm not surprised about this. I used to have a Strada and before that a 131. With both cars, to open the windows you had to turn the window cranks the "wrong" way.

[berarco2000]

Hi Guys, It was actually easier than I thought. I simply got under the dash, undid a bolt and a screw that held the dash to the car, that gave me just enough space to get my hand in through the back of the switch! Pulled it down and replaced it. Works like a charm, took me 15mins. When I opened up the old switch the contacts where dirty, cleaned them off and it works again. Now I have an extra switch..love spare parts! Thanks for all the posts. Oh!... and yes switch all the way down is ON, must be a Euro thing....... my VW Golf has a light symbol that comes on the dash when the lights are off?????

Cheers

CB

[geert]

eurothing about the switches ?

In Europe we start counting from top to bottom :
0
1
2
...

so, ...

about the golf light : dunno ??, maybe, if you see that light well, it must be a bit darkish, and than it's a reminder that you could put your lights on ?

( the old worlds mind, must be something medieval : in the harnesses ( and helmets)of the knights : cover up = 0, no fight , cover down = 1 = action )
History is a good thing , isn't it ?

Geert.

[spider2081]

Good to hear when a "do it your self job" goes easier than expected. Great job and thanks for the post.

On a lighter note reading geert's history post I don't know if that yellow face to the right of the "so... " is a smile or a frown. LOL Guess it's where you are looking from. I know my humor is sick.

enjoy life