1954 headlight switch source

[Randy G.]

When I rotate the knob on the headlight switch in my '54 counter clockwise it "clicks" and the interior dome lights come on, and I don't think that's supposed to happen. Does anyone know a good source for a replacement switch? CC sells them claiming they are "correct" but they also say electrical parts are not returnable. Mary Jo has an original tested for sale as well. Some Delco replacements have a fuse, but I don't think the '54's had any fuses on the headlight switches. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

[Jim L.]

Re: 1954 headlight switch source

Is it the clicking or the turning on of the interior lights which you are questioning, Randy?

[Randy G.]

Re: 1954 headlight switch source

Both. From what I understand the original headlight switches don't turn on the interior lights.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1954 headlight switch source

When I rotate the knob on the headlight switch in my '54 counter clockwise it "clicks" and the interior dome lights come on, and I don't think that's supposed to happen. Does anyone know a good source for a replacement switch? CC sells them claiming they are "correct" but they also say electrical parts are not returnable. Mary Jo has an original tested for sale as well. Some Delco replacements have a fuse, but I don't think the '54's had any fuses on the headlight switches. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Randy------


The original switch was GM #1995048. The last available switch was GM #1995041. There are many NOS examples of the latter on eBay right now with prices between $50 and $150. As might be expected, this switch was also used for many passenger cars of the period. Being a 6 volt switch and considering the current age of the last car that used it, I would not expect there would be a huge market for this switch now.

[Jim L.]

Re: 1954 headlight switch source

Both. From what I understand the original headlight switches don't turn on the interior lights.

That doesn't sound right, Randy. I'll check #3300, which has its original switch and get back to you. Every '50s car I've ever seen has interior lights which can be turned on via rotating the headlight dimmer switch. For sure, my metal '57s are like this. Stay tuned...

Jim

[Randy G.]

Re: 1954 headlight switch source

Hi Jim. I read it in the 53-55 NCRS Judging guide. I know the 57 will turn the courtesy lights on by rotating the knob counter clockwise because my '57 did it. It seems the 6 volt cars are different?

[Randy G.]

Re: 1954 headlight switch source

Thanks, Joe. I just bought the $50 one. I needed one no matter what because the dash light dimmer wasn't working well in the car. It would start to dim the dash lights, then just shuts them off at about 1/4 turn. Thanks.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1954 headlight switch source

Thanks, Joe. I just bought the $50 one. I needed one no matter what because the dash light dimmer wasn't working well in the car. It would start to dim the dash lights, then just shuts them off at about 1/4 turn. Thanks.

Randy------

That sounds like the rheostat is failing in the switch. This is a rather common problem with all Corvette headlight switches, right through, at least, 1982.

As far as the switch turning on the interior lights, if the headlamp switch is not supposed to do it then what switch is supposed to do it?

[Randy G.]

Re: 1954 headlight switch source

Either that or there is enough corrosion on the surface to break the contact.

Only other option is to open the door?

On page 5, #28, under "Courtesy Lights" in the 1953-1955 6th Edition NCRS "Corvette Technical Information Manual and Judging Guide" after discussing courtesy lights operation by checking the door switches it says to also:

"...check for operation by turning light switch knob all the way counterclockwise (1955 V-8 only)."

To me that indicates that the ability to turn on the courtesy light by turning the headlight knob started with the introduction of the 12 volt electrical system in the Corvette.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1954 headlight switch source

Either that or there is enough corrosion on the surface to break the contact.

Only other option is to open the door?

On page 5, #28, under "Courtesy Lights" in the 1953-1955 6th Edition NCRS "Corvette Technical Information Manual and Judging Guide" after discussing courtesy lights operation by checking the door switches it says to also:

"...check for operation by turning light switch knob all the way counterclockwise (1955 V-8 only)."

To me that indicates that the ability to turn on the courtesy light by turning the headlight knob started with the introduction of the 12 volt electrical system in the Corvette.

Randy------


Well, the 1953-55 switch has an integral rheostat so if it isn't there for dash light dimming, I don't know what it's there for. Even if it's for only dimming of the interior lights, that would indicate that the switch is used for activation of the interior lights. However, my knowledge of C1's, especially early C1's, is exceedingly limited.

[Randy G.]

Re: 1954 headlight switch source

The rheostat dims the instrument lights on all cars, not the courtesy lights. The courtesy lights are either on or off. But the 6 volt headlight switches don't appear to have a provision for turning on the courtesy lights. It seems to have started with the 12 volt 1955 V8 cars. Mine is 6 volts with a 6 cylinder engine.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1954 headlight switch source

The rheostat dims the instrument lights on all cars, not the courtesy lights. The courtesy lights are either on or off. But the 6 volt headlight switches don't appear to have a provision for turning on the courtesy lights. It seems to have started with the 12 volt 1955 V8 cars. Mine is 6 volts with a 6 cylinder engine.

Randy------


Somehow, I got the idea that you were saying that the headlight switch should not dim the dash lights AND should not activate the courtesy lights. As I re-read your posts I see that there was no issue of the dash light dimming function. I do not know anything regarding the courtesy light activation for these very early C1's. It does seem strange to me that the only way to activate the courtesy lights is by opening a door but that could very well be how it was.

One other possibility that I see here is that, since these switches were used for many other applications, the original GM #1995048 switch (and/or the GM #1995041 replacement) had courtesy light activation functionality but it was not used in Corvette (i.e. harness and electrical system design did not support this function).

[Dan D.]

Re: 1954 headlight switch source

Randy,

I just read your post on headlight switches. I am quite versed on all C1 headlight switches, I have tested/repaired several for other forum members.

The 6V switches have a rheostat for dimming the dash lights. They do NOT have provisions for turning the interior lights on and off. This is done by the door switches only.

If your dash light dimming is intermittent that is due to corrosion on the rheostat and can usually be corrected by cleaning the rheostat wire and the wiper contact. If they do not work at all, then either the corrosion is severe or the rheostat wire is probably broken.

From my experience with these switches the circuit breaker quite often is bad. I have seen this on used switches sold by suppliers who advertise in the Driveline. I have seen their 'good' headlight switches not work at all, with the only problem being the breaker contacts are not making contact. With this you will have no lights at all on the car.

The breaker should open and close between 27 and 30 amps. If it is set too low you can get into the blinking headlight syndrome that many here on the forum have experienced with 12 volt switches. Very dangerous. If set too high (I have seen this too), you run the risk of burning the harness if there is a short some place.

I see you have purchased another switch. If all your old switch does is not dim the lights, I would suggest you try and repair that switch before you replace it with an unknown.

You say your switch will turn the interior lights on and off. That can only be if someone has replaced the switch with a 12 volt unit and modified the wiring accordingly. If this is the case then I don't see how the breaker will supply the headlight current. 12V breakers open at 17 amps. Also the 54 switches use wire terminals with screws. 12 volt switches are push-on spade, so you would have major wiring mods. 54 wires are cloth covered. 12V switches are PVC. If your existing switch can really turn the interior lights on and off, then I would like to see a photo of it.

The 12V 56/57 switches are the only ones that have the built in 3 Amp fuse. This is for the dash light dimmer. Without this fuse a short in the dash lights will burn up the dimmer rheostat. In 58 this function was changed to a fuse in the fuse panel.

Hope this helps clarify things for you. There is much in the archives on this.

-Dan-

[John S.]

Re: 1954 headlight switch source

dan, thanks for the explaination for the fuse on the 56/57 switches. I always wondered why the fuse was added. the 55 switches(061) seemed to last as long as the later switches and the problem I seen in even the later NOS switches was a corroded rheostat.

[Jim L.]

And #3300 sez.....

"Let there be darkness"

This car has been in our family 46+ years and I never ever noticed the interior lights couldn't be turned on by rotating the headlight knob.

Learn sumpthin new every day....

Jim