I have an 84 Buick Skylark (80,000 Miles, 2.8 ltr. V6) and recently purchased a CD player for it so I need to remove the front panel around the AM/FM tuner which is also around several other switches and things and I have everything off and ready to go except the headlight switch. It is one of those older pull nob switches and the nob is in the way. I have head things about a release switch that allows the rod that the switch is on to slip out of the switch so the panel can come off. Unfortunately I have been unable to fint that release button... I was hoping someone had a tip, hint, or link that could make this job any easier. Thanks a bunch!
Lenny, If it is anything like our older buicks, the release is a small springloaded metal button. On the GS's it is located towards the rear of the switch opposite where the electical connections are. You must pull out the switch to the headlights on position, then depress the button and the rod will slide right out. Hope that helps.
Thank you that does seem to help but what do you mean by "...opposite where the electical connections are." Do you mean on the other side (from the electrical wires) on the rear of the switch?
He means on the other side of the switch body. As you look at the switch (when it's out of the car, hard to see in the dash, lol), there is, on older Buicks, a very notable button, opposite the electrical conncetions Maybe if you went to the auto parts store, they'd let you look at one that they have in stock, so you can get a better feel for the description.
Headlight switch picture Lenny, A picture is worth a thousand words, sooooooo here you go The button is at the tip of the pen, on the opposite side that the electrical connections are. You will probably have to feel for it. Just remember to pull the switch out to the lights on position than depress the button and pull.
Wow... Thank you very much! I am sure you spent some time on the photo shoot although I am not sure that is the same switch. On my car I think the wire connections come in threw the back of the switch but that does give me an idea of what to look for. Thanks a bunch!
No problem Lenny, With my new Digital camera, it only takes a few minutes to snap a picture, download it to my hard drive and post it in a thread. There should be a similar button on your switch somewhere. If you're still having a problem, go to the parts store and have them pull out the switch for your car. Then look for the button, like Chris suggested.
headlight switch some headlamp switches have the shaft built in and the knob has a cutout that a small screwdriver will go in. you take the screwdriver and push toward the rear of the car in that slot. most 80's gm's are that way.