Servicing '68-'xx Headlight Switch/Rheo? (picture)

[Todd H 26112]

I presume service parts are not available for such switches and they have to be replaced as a whole.

I was having a problem w/ my headlight switch and interior lighting and discovered that the 'rheostat' part had a crack in it. The little copper piece 'washer' that rotates over the 'coiled' variable resistor has cracked and isn't really fixable. [See picture linked below]

Rather than buying a whole new switch is it possible other non-Corvette Chevy/GM switches from a common junker of similar vintage might be disassembled for the same piece? I presume this switch is unique to COrvette w/ it's vacuum and all but I'm wondering if any of the other internals were commonly used in other headlight switches...?

Anybody know off hand before I go and buy an entire new switch or spend time scrounging a junkyard?

thanks,

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PS: Why can't we post pictures inline from our own site(s) like most other BBS? Or do I just not know the trick?

[Dick W.]

Re: Servicing '68-'xx Headlight Switch/Rheo? (pict

Todd, I think that trying to replace the rheostat would be not worth the effort. You would have to get another used switch to use as a donor, and there would be no guarantee that the finished product would be any better.

New swiches are available for about $40.00 from vendors and GM restoration parts dealers

[Joe L.]

Re: Servicing '68-'xx Headlight Switch/Rheo? (pict

Todd-----

I agree with Dick; I think that trying to repair the switch with salvaged parts is somewhat inadvisable. If the switch were unobtainable, then that would be different. However, these switches are available in reproduction and are about the price that Dick mentioned. A new one will correct not only the problem that you've identified, but also other problems that may be "right around the corner".

Notwithstanding the above, you are correct that individual components of these switch assemblies were never available from GM and I don't think were available from amy other source, either. The Corvette switch is constructed similar to other GM switchs and I'm sure that parts could be salvaged from non-Corvette switches and used on Corvettes. The Corvette switch was also used on some Buick Rivieras and Oldsmobile Toronados of the 60s and 70s

[Todd H 26112]

Thanks Dick and Joe! *NM*