light switch knob

Superman · 05-08-2002, 02:28 PM

I know you guys are busy discussing SUVs and such, but I have a really serious problem to deal with. When I screw the knob onto my headlight switch and it bottoms out, it still does not stay tight. In other words, there is no elasticity to the 'bottoming out' connection. It's as if the female part of the connection is made of titanium and will not allow the knob to be torqued down so that it does not unscrew. Perhaps I should drop a ball of rubber into the knob so that tension can be held against the threads.

I can still operate the car safely, but....

Superman · 05-08-2002, 03:34 PM

So, you geniuses can't solve a simple problem, eh?

stealthn · 05-08-2002, 07:13 PM

Superman,

I don't quite understand what you are saying? The pull switch to turn on the lights?
Mine doesn't hold enought to dim/brighten the interior lights, but if I hold the metal lever behind the knob I can dim them.

I will have to take it off to see what the issue is.

Jdub · 05-09-2002, 06:47 AM

Super:

I *think* I know what you are asking. To tighten the headlight knob (double pull, turns to dim/brighten interior gauge) you must find a 1/16" or thereabouts drill bit or other and put it through the hole in the shaft (look carefully, with knob out), just past the threads. Turn the shaft so that it is not bottoming at the full clockwise, use the pin to hold the shaft, and turn that knob onto the threads as tight as possible.

The hole/drill bit lets you hold the shaft in place to prevent undue stress on the switch.

John

Superman · 05-09-2002, 07:56 AM

I think you both get it. I can turn the knob and shaft clockwise, but whe I try to turn them counterclockwise, the shaft does not turn because the knob unscrews. I'll look for the hole John mentioned. thanks!

doug petty · 05-09-2002, 08:17 AM

knob must contain some crytonite

makaio · 05-09-2002, 09:57 AM

Supe, i got the same problem, but i've been to busy with my brake project to even address the switch issue.

Superman · 05-09-2002, 10:39 AM

I'll look for the drill bit hole, for leverage purposes. I'm also considering dropping some eraser crumbs into the knob. At any rate, I'll report back.

car911 · 05-09-2002, 01:23 PM

I have the same problem (seems pretty common!).

I thought of putting a drop of loctite on the thread - but never got around to it. It's not a real problem to occasionally tighten it up (something to do when you first start the car?)

Superman · 05-09-2002, 01:49 PM

Mine simply does not tighten. It bottoms out. The knob will not rotate the shaft counterclockwise.

I will not be putting loctitie on it because the knob needs to come off in order to remove the switch, if that ever becomes necessary.

You know, this seems to be such a widespread problem that I'm thinking we should get Bruce Anderson and Alan Caldwell involved.

stealthn · 05-09-2002, 06:21 PM

Superman, good one!!

It's funny how such a silly thing can unite such a wide swath of people.

I will photograph, and video tape, the restore of the light switch

Good stuff......

mskar · 05-10-2002, 10:21 AM

Maybe a different problem, but the guts of my headlight switch were basically spinning freely, keeping me from being able to tighten it. Took apart the knob (the face pops out if you are able to peel the rubber rim back) and tried gluing it but it didn't hold, ended up replacing the knob - $15 or so. You can swap the face if the new knob's pic is different than your current setup.

pryord · pryord's Garage

While we're on the subject, is my headlight knob supposed to light up (like the foglight knob) when I turn the lights on?

Superman · 05-10-2002, 11:14 AM

No, David. Same with the cig lighter.

I too am excited about a handful of guys focusing on the inane topic of light switch knobs. Of course it is not as fun or popular as tongue-lashing testosterone-sufferers like Kurt, but I'm a counter-culture type anyway.

Tomorrow I'll be considering the appropriate technologies to apply to this important light switch crisis. Stay tuned.

Planter91C2 · 05-10-2002, 11:23 AM

why don't you put some teflon tape on the threads? (the white stuff for plumbing applications)

Superman · 05-10-2002, 11:43 AM

Yet another space-age technology that we can bring to bear on this critical safety system.