Headlight knob

[zzeekk]

How do I get the headlight control knob out of the dash. I trying to take the dash apart and that is In the way.

[87gtVIC]

What type of car do you have?

On a box you have to push a release button that is deep under the dash on the headlight switch. Royal pain to reach.

[zzeekk]

1990 grand marquis. Do you have a pic of the button

[87gtVIC]

No. But it is located on the underside of the headlamp switch behind the dashboard...behind the headlight knob.

[GM_Guy]

..

[Mercury Rising]

I just went through this with my 86 GM. I would like to add to this topic by pointing out that the ***damned*** release switch is on the top of the unit, when installed in the vehicle. I removed the dash pad, then I used a hole saw to make a 2" hole through the plastic panel underneath. This hole allowed me to see and then get a screwdriver to the release switch, from the side. The dash pad has sides which now cover the hole. For good measure, I squirted the assembly with OXI-CLEAN Gold, and now the dimmer is more smooth.

All this was just for replacing the bulbs in the speedometer, but I replaced them with nice blue LED's. I also removed the trip meter which was suffering from senile dementia, and took out a speaker so I can find a replacement for that. Interestingly, I noticed there was a space for an elliptical speaker right in the middle of the dash. I also found the light sensor covered in dirt, so I wiped it off... maybe it will work now? Anyway, a fine day's mucking about!

[jaywish]

Cutting a access hole sounds like a good idea but I have repeatedly removed the knob from both the 89 and 93 without cutting a hole. I think I got some small cuts every time. My hands are average size.

[Mercury Rising]

Your level of patience is above average, or mine is below, one or the other! A smaller hole in exactly the right place is probably best.

[VicCrownVic]

I might be wrong but isn't that space in the middle of the dash for a factory amp? I suppose a speaker could be put there no problem, some dash pads even had a vented spot in the middle for that spot.

If I had seen this post when it was originally posted I would have put my 2 cents in then... better late than never I suppose, maybe this will help someone else.

The way I removed the headlight switch on my '91 MGM when I needed to get into the dash was to remove all the screws for the plastic of the dash and remove the bottom screw for the headlight switch mounting plate.
Then pull the knob out as far as it will go and atuo-lamp ring out with it.
Then pull the top of the plastic dash cover out a bit and you should be able to get at the top screw of the headlight switch mounting plate with a t20 torx driver through the little vent above the switch. (it's not a straight shot, but it is more straight than the picture looks like since I had to hold the plastic with one hand, camera in the other and balance the torx driver on the vent... took a couple tries to get that pic!)

Then the headlight switch will pull right out along with the dash plastic and getting to the release button is really easy.

Otherwise take the padded panel off below the steering column and start reaching up there for the release button is how others have done it. On my '89 MGM I think snaking your arm up there was the only option.

Now I'm getting confused but IIRC my '91 I think the release button was on the bottom but don't quote me on it, I just know that the '89 was on the opposite side, so for an '86 (should be the same setup as the '89) on the top sounds right and '90 and '91 it's on the bottom.

[pantera77]

90+ just have a friction tab on the knob itself to pull it off, super easy. Just press the tab in and it slides right off. No need to pull the shaft out like on the older cars.

[VicCrownVic]

I had to go check this out, I can't believe it is that simple but it is. I know I'll be into the dash at least a couple more times in the near future, thanks for the tip.

I have a couple bad switches laying around

Just push the friction tab from the back of the knob toward the face of the knob with a small jewelers screwdriver right at that notch on the knob and it comes right off.

[Mercury Rising]

I might be wrong but isn't that space in the middle of the dash for a factory amp? I suppose a speaker could be put there no problem, some dash pads even had a vented spot in the middle for that spot.

On this car, the Premium 2 channel stereo actually has the amp for the front speakers elsewhere, by the back wheel well I think.

The space in the middle of the dash is the exact conical shape of a speaker, and there is a factory 2 wire connector there just like the other speakers. There are also numerous holes arranged in a circle in the dash pad as if for a speaker. It is space perfectly made for a a 6x9 speaker to sit, but no speaker was there.

Is it possible that they decided to omit the center speaker to save costs?

[jaywish]

90+ just have a friction tab on the knob itself to pull it off, super easy. Just press the tab in and it slides right off. No need to pull the shaft out like on the older cars.


That was the right answer!

[sly]

my 88 has a set screw (as seen in the heater core thread). The 82 Lincoln has a set screw as well IIRC (I'd have to look again). I've never had to reach up and remove the rod the hard way.