Headlight knob

[bcgreen]

I am attempting to remove the headlight knob so I can take out the switch. From what I have read you unscrew the knob by turning it to the left (counter clockwise).
I have tried but it refuses to budge, even with me hold needle nose pliers on the shaft.
1976 911.

[darrin]

Originally Posted by bcgreen

I am attempting to remove the headlight knob so I can take out the switch. From what I have read you unscrew the knob by turning it to the left (counter clockwise).
I have tried but it refuses to budge, even with me hold needle nose pliers on the shaft.
1976 911.

There are two versions of the headlight switch -- on mine, I needed to first remove the plastic disc with the headlight pic on it, which revealed a small screw -- removing the screw allowed me to remove the knob (the other version comes off by turning the knob counterclockwise to unscrew it from the shaft)

[bcgreen]

Originally Posted by darrin

There are two versions of the headlight switch -- on mine, I needed to first remove the plastic disc with the headlight pic on it, which revealed a small screw -- removing the screw allowed me to remove the knob (the other version comes off by turning the knob counterclockwise to unscrew it from the shaft)

How hard was it to remove the plastic disc? Is it rather thin? I placed a flat head thin screw driver, trying to find a lip, between the rubber and the plastic but it wouldn't catch anything.

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by bcgreen

How hard was it to remove the plastic disc? Is it rather thin? I placed a flat head thin screw driver, trying to find a lip, between the rubber and the plastic but it wouldn't catch anything.

Ones on my '77 were easy; foglight/rear window defrost switches were the same. The rubber is plenty thick/hardy, and the plastic disk is also thick. None of it is fragile, unless maybe your rubber is hardened and brittle. Mine wasn't.

Work the rubber back with your thumb and you'll see how it is.

[bcgreen]

It sure would be reassuring to see them separated to see how far I have to dig.

[darrin]

here's a pic of the cap https://bit.ly/3d2EW5P

here's a pic of the capless knob https://bit.ly/3bTQzvQ

[bcgreen]

Here's mine. Sorry I don't know why it is upside down.

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by darrin

There are two versions of the headlight switch -- on mine, I needed to first remove the plastic disc with the headlight pic on it, which revealed a small screw -- removing the screw allowed me to remove the knob (the other version comes off by turning the knob counterclockwise to unscrew it from the shaft)

This is what my late G body was like. Well, mostly. Mine had a nut under the headlight pic on the switch shaft, if memory serves.

The knob came off basically like like how Darrin says, to reveal the shaft with the flat plastic thing below the knob with two little holes or divots 180 degrees from each other. This just screws off.

I used a pair of needle nose pliers with the tips of the jaws in the holes and turned that it off with those. That was it - the switch came free and was able to remove it from behind the dash. It's that flat nut/washer looking bit that holds the switch in place.

[FrankM_]

Mine looks just like the above picture. It did come loose but rotating it, didn’t have to pry anything apart.
Mine is the non-illuminated version. I believe from 87 onwards thay had a different version with internal illumination.

The first time I had to loosen it I pulled the knob forward completely, held it with pliers so as not to put any force on the internals, and rotated left. Eventually it came loose. Maybe carefully apply some penetrating oil on the back of the knob with a cotton swab ?

Now it comes off ‘too easily’ I find if I turn the knob.


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[bcgreen]

Originally Posted by FrankM_

Mine looks just like the above picture. It did come loose but rotating it, didn’t have to pry anything apart.
Mine is the non-illuminated version. I believe from 87 onwards thay had a different version with internal illumination.

The first time I had to loosen it I pulled the knob forward completely, held it with pliers so as not to put any force on the internals, and rotated left. Eventually it came loose. Maybe carefully apply some penetrating oil on the back of the knob with a cotton swab ?

Now it comes off ‘too easily’ I find if I turn the knob.


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Mine is not loosening even with pliers holding the shaft. Is it possible there is a screw under the center plastic?

[Teutonics]

Originally Posted by bcgreen

Mine is not loosening even with pliers holding the shaft. Is it possible there is a screw under the center plastic?

Look on the shaft to see if there is a hole drilled through... on my 85 you stick a rod through that hole in the shaft and then unscrew the knob. I used a micro-screwdriver of the closest size to the hole. It took more force than I expected, but popped loose and then I could unscrew it off.

However, yours may have a screw under the cap, so you'll want to confirm that first before putting force to unscrew it.

[FrankM_]

On mine there is no screw/nut holding it. The knob is threaded.



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[FrankM_]

Originally Posted by Teutonics

Look on the shaft to see if there is a hole drilled through... on my 85 you stick a rod through that hole in the shaft and then unscrew the knob. I used a micro-screwdriver of the closest size to the hole. It took more force than I expected, but popped loose and then I could unscrew it off.

However, yours may have a screw under the cap, so you'll want to confirm that first before putting force to unscrew it.

Didn’t know about that small hole ! Good tip.


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[bcgreen]

Originally Posted by FrankM_

On mine there is no screw/nut holding it. The knob is threaded.



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It does have the hole in the shaft and I used a allen. I used quite a bit of force but didn't use all possible force because I didn't want to destroy the knob if at all possible. That's why it seems I am being overly cautious with all my questions.
Could be frozen on the shaft because it may not have been taken apart since being manufactured. That may explain why the turn signal was not fixed.

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by bcgreen

Mine is not loosening even with pliers holding the shaft. Is it possible there is a screw under the center plastic?

Yes, there is a 10mm NUT under the plastic cap

https://youtu.be/BEZyFLupu1w?t=35

[FrankM_]

Indeed, 1987 has the newer variant light switch with internal illumination


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[bcgreen]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

Yes, there is a 10mm NUT under the plastic cap

https://youtu.be/BEZyFLupu1w?t=35

I did some digging around trying to find a lip in order to pry up the plastic, that's why I was asking for a pic. to see how thick it is and if I am not digging deep enough.
Mine is not illuminated.
Since I have the hole on the shaft is that a positive indication that I don't have to try and lift the plastic center piece and there is no screw under the plastic?

[chuckr]

Don’t break it.... no longer available!

[T77911S]

This is the later sw with the screw and what I can do to it

[donporfi]

Also make sure you use that hole in the shaft. I think it is there to protect the internals and the rheostat of the dimmer switch, if you exert too much force without holding the shaft you can break the rheostat.
Sorry I do not know if there is a nut under the plastic cap.