131 Headlight switch

[Jim S.]

I have two 131 headlight switches , One looks really old and well used , one has a non-working detent button . Anybody out there rehab these switches

[Joe R.]

Re: 131 Headlight switch

Jim,

The headlight switch for 64-67 is part number 1995179 and yes originals have 131 stamped on the back. All big box vendors have these switches available for very little money as they were used on most GM cars in the 60's. The replacements have a larger ceramic block but work just fine.

JR

[Jim S.]

Re: 131 Headlight switch

" All big box vendors have these switches available "

Thanks JR,

I know as I have a replacement as well , and I installed it . However one, it is incorrect for judging , and two , it seems to me that the gauges aren't as bright as they should be and, at least on the one I have , the dimmer function is iffy at best .

So I figured I would try one of the originals I have next . That's when I noticed that the better looking of the two has no "catch" anymore and therefore is useless , and the other looks so worn and used at to make me wonder about it life expectancy . Just thought it would be nice to install an original rebuilt one if it were possible . With A/C and my age factored into the equation , I only want to replace that switch one more time !

Jim

[Joe R.]

Re: 131 Headlight switch

OK Jim,

Just pick one from the couple or so that I have and I'll send it to you.

Just give me your address and yes it is original and will work for the rest of our lives.

JR

[Edward J.]

Re: 131 Headlight switch

" All big box vendors have these switches available "

Thanks JR,

I know as I have a replacement as well , and I installed it . However one, it is incorrect for judging , and two , it seems to me that the gauges aren't as bright as they should be and, at least on the one I have , the dimmer function is iffy at best .

So I figured I would try one of the originals I have next . That's when I noticed that the better looking of the two has no "catch" anymore and therefore is useless , and the other looks so worn and used at to make me wonder about it life expectancy . Just thought it would be nice to install an original rebuilt one if it were possible . With A/C and my age factored into the equation , I only want to replace that switch one more time !

Jim

Jim nothing works as good as the originals when it comes to the brightness of the dash light gages. I have measured the voltage output on these switchs and its less than a OEM production switch's.

[Dan D.]

Re: 131 Headlight switch

Doesn't make sense. The resistance wire is bypassed with the control in full left position.

Beware of the circuit breaker in aftermarket switches. Not all have the required current rating and can result in the blinking headlight syndrome. I have tested several of these switches - all years- and the results vary widely.

-Dan-

[Edward J.]

Re: 131 Headlight switch

Dan full left is for the Dome light, the resistance of the rheostat stops just before the solid button on switch. the Dia of the rheostat wire can change the voltage of dash lights. and also the replacement bulbs can also change the brilliance of bulbs slightly.unless you get the NOS bulbs. china bulbs are sold at a lot of venders today.

[Jim S.]

Re: 131 Headlight switch

OK Jim,

Just pick one from the couple or so that I have and I'll send it to you.

Just give me your address and yes it is original and will work for the rest of our lives.

JR

Lol !

JR,

You sure you have enough of those ?

If you are serious , please pick out the best 131 you can part with , and come up with a price you can live with , remember shipping , and I'll take it .

Thanks,

Jim
204 E. Myrtle Ave
Phoenix AZ. 85020


jimschwering@cox.net

602-395-1991

[Jim S.]

Re: 131 Headlight switch

Jim nothing works as good as the originals when it comes to the brightness of the dash light gages. I have measured the voltage output on these switchs and its less than a OEM production switch's.

Ed,

Thanks for confirming my thoughts ! I felt they weren't as bright , but could not prove it , and had nothing to compare it to .

At first I thought it was a low battery , but after charging it , I figured it might be the after market light switch, or just my imagination . Now at least I know which one it is.


Thanks ,

Jim

[Dan D.]

Re: 131 Headlight switch

Ed, the rotating wiper on these switches have a double contact so they can better follow the resistance wire and still retain contact when the switch is in its dome light detent position, and also at full right or off position. Original switches work well, but all the repro switches I have tested do not. When coming off the detent, the wiper has to travel across the rivet that holds the resistance wire. The head of the rivet on repro switches is higher than original GM switches and the wiper gets airborne for an instant and loses contact, causing the dash lights to momentarily blink. This is a minor flaw and usually is not noticeable unless you look for it. But when the switch goes out of detent position the dual wiper still has one contact on the feed strip and will still apply full voltage to the lights, provided of course that the wiper can maintain contact.

Regardless of what some people say about there only being one manufacturer for these switches, I have tested switches from 2 different manufactures, both having different mechanical configurations. Neither one lists the country of origin, but I suspect it is Mexico. One of the switches I have tested has a circuit breaker interrupt current of 12 amps and cannot be adjusted any higher. The breaker contact temperature at this current is close to 200*F. 12 amps is insufficient for a 4 headlight car. This switch is defective by design. It needs to be around 20 amps, which is what all the original switches I have tested are set at.

The diameter of the rheostat wire does not matter. It is the resistance of the wire that varies the lamp voltage.

The resistance of the bulb filament will affect the brightness (lumens), and I too believe that bulbs manufactured in Asia are different, and I don't believe they last as long either. If the Kelvin temperature is different (lower) that could also make the bulbs appear not as bright, but I have not tested any bulbs so I can't say for certain just how different these bulbs really are. But like just about everything in these cars, USA and original parts are always the best.

-Dan-

[Gary B.]

Re: 131 Headlight switch

Jim,

The headlight switch for 64-67 is part number 1995179 and yes originals have 131 stamped on the back. All big box vendors have these switches available for very little money as they were used on most GM cars in the 60's. The replacements have a larger ceramic block but work just fine.

JR

JR,

I think the GM part number for the production switch was 199131, hence the "131" stamping. Maybe 1995179 part superseded the 131 part?

Gary

[Joe R.]

Re: 131 Headlight switch

Gary,

My 77 parts book lists the 1995179 as the correct switch for a 64-67 Corvette. Could not find the part number 199131 listed in the Vol 1 GM DEALER PARTS AND ACCESSORIES PRICE SCHEDULE. Does not mean you are not right.
Maybe Joe L. has the 199131 listed in one of his price guides. Would like to know the answer.

JR

[Gary B.]

Re: 131 Headlight switch

JR,

I'm sure someone like Joe with his extensive GM reference library can figure it out.

Gary

[Dan D.]

Re: 131 Headlight switch

My 1953-1974 Corvette Parts Catalog also lists 1964-1967 switches as 1995179. The GM convention is to usually label the last 3 digits of the part number on the part. I have an original 1965 switch plate in my hand that clearly has 131 stamped on it. 199131 appears to have a missing digit - GM part numbers usually are 7 digits - not 6. I have Googled 199131 and can find no reference to that part number. Might that just be the part number of the bottom plate?

I also think Joe L. is the only person that can explain this.

-Dan-

[Peter L.]

Re: 131 Headlight switch

The 1938-1967 PASSENGER CAR, 1953 -1967 CORVETTE + TRUCKs
CHEVROLET
Parts and Accessories Catalog, Effective October 1, 1966 lists the following in 2.485 SWITCH-SPACER, Lighting for p/n 1995131:

64-67 CORVETTE,
65-66 PASS (exc CAPRICE
w/bucket seats),
67 PASS .................................................. ... 1995131 $3.57

Interesting is that it also lists
67 PASS, CORVETTE .................................... 1995149 but has no price listed

Pete