Replacing turn signal switch and removing headlight switch

Bob's Flat-Six · Bob's Flat-Six's Garage

I replaced my turn signal / highbeam switch today with the help of Waynes 101 projects book and searching the vault of this board

The problem I had was the highbeams would stay on all the time so I replaced the switch with a new one.
The only thing I did different from the books prosedure was to drop the headlight switch down so I could plug in the 4 or 5 wires more easily and in full view. I did a search to find out how the headlight switch was remove.

I'll repeat it so a searcher in the future will have it right here.
The headlight switch is removed by pulling the lights into the on position. Theres a hole in the stalk that you can put a small screwdriver thru to hold the shaft and back off the threaded knob, turning to the left.
Then there's a little plastic collar with 4 holes in it. I was able to get it to back off buy just putting a little screwdriver in one of the holes and turning it off to the left.
I then replaced the wires one at a time from the old switch to the new.
Don't forget to disconnect the battery too.
I can now throw out the piece of cardboard I was using to hold the highbeam stalk forward to get the lights to dim

Thank you Pelican board

97*Sunshine · 08-14-2004, 10:06 AM

I know this post is pretty old. I'm in the middle of putting a new turn signal switch in my 85 Targa. I couldn't figure out to remove the headlight switch.
Bob's Flat-Six, I owe you one!!

pyite20v · 10-02-2007, 07:28 PM

Wow wish I read this before I broke my headlight pull switch by turning the knob without holding it through the hole!

theiceman · 02-22-2010, 06:34 PM

looks like a way to post a link for product off pelican to me

spuggy · 02-22-2010, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theiceman

looks like a way to post a link for product off pelican to me

Yup, and me.

See this icon at the bottom of his post?

Lets you tell the Mods directly, without having to wait for one of them to notice it.

JINKATIN · JINKATIN's Garage

I replaced my a few months ago. I was having trouble removing the headlight switch, so with a lot of patience I was able to connect it without removing the headlight switch. This info would have made my install a lot easier and less painful.

Amanda · 10-23-2010, 12:25 PM

Replacing my turn signal switch. Just selfishly bumping this so it's easier to find.

Another reason this 911 tech forum should have been broken down to several sub-forums by category long ago. Works fine on many other car msg boards.

Wil Ferch · 10-25-2010, 07:21 PM

Now that we've learned how to remove the headlight switch....let's install the *required* dashlight fuses that the goofy Porsche electrical engineering apprentices FORGOT to do from the factory---> Dash lighting fuse installation

NEWBIRD2009 · 07-06-2011, 08:25 PM

I just changed my blinker switch this afternoon, but I beg to differ about how to take the headlight switch off to gain easy wiring access. I followed the directions about placing a sharp object (I used an awl) into the stem hole and twisted the knob to the left to remove. DON'T DO THAT!!!! It breaks some sort of seal within the knob and the silver ring which is imbedded into the knob. You can't see the silver ring until after the knob is off. Here's what you should do if you have the soft rubber like knob (mine is an'86)... Flex that enough to remove the plastic insert with light icon (yes, the obvious thing right on the knob front), then you can get access to remove the small retaining nut which allows you to twist off the knob and imbedded silver ring. Once you have the knob off, DON'T TRY TO PRY THAT BLACK RETAINING RING BEHIND THE KNOB as suggested earlier here on this thread. The four holes on this black ring probably need a special tool which I didn't have. Take an awl place it into one of the four holes and grasp firmly while pushing in a counter-clockwise direction...it needs a good deal of force. Once loose, it easily threads right off and the switch will be ready to push out (actually into the dash).
Earlier directions resulted in my knob losing the ability to twist the rheostat for dimming the dash lights because it breaks the connection within the knob. I used some glue to reattach and it appears to be working, but this can be avoided if done properly...in my opinion. If you don't remove the dash switch, rewiring would be nearly impossible because of the postion of many wires on the light switch that are not part of blinker wiring.

polizei · 07-06-2012, 04:56 AM

Resurrecting this one...

I need to replace my headlight switch, and I'm stuck on the trying to remove the "little plastic collar with 4 holes in it". I put a little screw driver into one of the holes and turning counter-clockwise, but that bugger is not moving. Any suggestions on how to loosen it up? Or should I be using a specific tool?

Also, if anyone has good, used headlight switch for a 1974-89 911 for sale, please let me know!

Thanks!

scottb · 07-06-2012, 05:07 AM

I tried using circlip pliers, but couldn't get it to budge. I finally took my Dremel and sliced up that plastic retaining nut.

polizei · 07-06-2012, 05:09 AM

I was afraid of that. Do you know what the part number is for that plastic retaining nut?

scottb · 07-06-2012, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polizei

I was afraid of that. Do you know what the part number is for that plastic retaining nut?

Andy: No, I don't know the number. IIRC, I called John Walker and he had one in his stock.

HTH.

Socbum · Socbum's Garage

I used an awl that has a 90 degree bend at the end. I was able to put the pointed end of the awl in the hole and pull up to get the plate to unscrew.

schwaggen · schwaggen's Garage

I used a pair of finishing nails, of a gauge to fit somewhat snugly in the holes on the retaining ring (there are 4 holes- two nails, in holes opposite each other). Then I gripped them cross-wise with a pair of pliers and gently twisted the cap until it spun on the threads. ezpz.

thstone · 10-11-2015, 08:05 AM

I had the problem of high and low beams on all of the time on my 78 911SC.

Everything went in accordance with 101 Projects for 911 until I got to the wires on the headlight switch! WTF? No way that I was going to be able to replace those from under the dash.

Thanks for the tip on removing the headlight switch which made the job super easy.

SpyderMike · 10-11-2015, 08:47 AM

Part numbers are here:

Any source for plastic switch nuts (light and defog)?

Bob's Flat-Six · Bob's Flat-Six's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by thstone

I had the problem of high and low beams on all of the time on my 78 911SC.

Everything went in accordance with 101 Projects for 911 until I got to the wires on the headlight switch! WTF? No way that I was going to be able to replace those from under the dash.

Thanks for the tip on removing the headlight switch which made the job super easy.

Your welcome.....