I'm replacing the wiring harness in my '64 and while I'm at it I want to remove the headlight switch, cigarette lighter, wiper and convertible top switches so I can clean and touch up the appearance of the dash. I would also like to replace the cig lighter with a socket for 12v accessories. I'm stumped on how to move these items. I'm reluctant to use too much force for fear of breaking them off. Thanks.
Should be same as my 63. Light switch - there is a small button on the top/back of the switch, push it down and the knob and post should pull right out, then undo the bezel. Ignition switch - turn the key to accessory, then insert a tiny hex key or paper clip in the little hole in the front, barrel should rotate left a little more and pull out, then undo the bezel Window wiper - there is a small hex/allen key holding the know on, undo, remove, undo the bezel. Vent pulls - are they on this car? - there is a large nut on the back of them, undo the nut, undo the other end of the cable (on the vent) and remove the WHOLE thing taking car to catch the nut as it falls off the end. OH - and DON'T FORGET to disconnect the battery before you start - you feel me?
I have a '64 convertable and had my bezel apart to polish the speedo lens. I'll take pics tonite to show the removal of the switches. As stated above, the wiper knob has a small allen sset screw. The "Accessory" switch for the top has a "pressed" on knob, with a metal tension strip inside the knob, so you just pull it off, then there is a small "needle/dial" that you don;t want to lose. After that, there is a small retaining ring that is threaded and has a slot, and you will need to back that off, then the switch is removed out the back of the bezel. IIRC the lighter has a sleeved housing on the back that fits over the internal of the lighter tube and you unscrew that and the lighter body comes out the front. You may need to remove the escution. I have to look again at the light switch. If you need anything else, let me know as I have the dash all apart and the bezel/clusters dissambled. Edited: And I meant to add, that you can remove the lower plate once the switches are removed. One the lower back of the bezel are two studs with "quick nuts". That will let you take that plate off and detail that as well as the bezel without having to spend 6 years of your life trying to mask and paint. The radio bezel has similar plate attached.
Thanks to you both for the replies. I did remove the quick nuts thinking that alone would help but to no avail. The switches have to come out first. The thought of taping it all off before painting quickly made me realize the only way to do this is to remove the switches. I have everything apart to remove the factory clock, fuel gauge and idiot lights and replace them with a mini tach and aftermarket fuel gauge, respectively. I plan on only having the dash out once so now is the time.
I'll be home in a bit and should be able to post the pics in about three hours and some details on each switch. Do you have the bezels out? If not, it is much easier than the contortions you will otherwise put youreslf through. But if your are changing the harness, I figure you did pull them.
Pictures of disassembled instruments (Re: Remove switches from the dash panel?) Dear Bill, roadrunnernz, TrunkMonkey, and V-8 Buick restorers, Here is a thread where I posted photos of what a 1965 dash looks like when it is taken apart: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?271790-Photos-of-a-1964-65-Speedometer-and-radio-bezel-cluster-assembly&p=2234591#post2234591 If you need more photos you can clink on the images that will take you to the photos albums of photos I took when my wagon was restored. You'll see that there are zillions!! Actually the 1965 Buick cigarette lighter work fine for any cigarette lighter plugs that you can buy these days. If the socket isn't damaged, you are good to go. If you are concerned about its condition you can buy a replacement that fits. I did find one but it was a struggle. If you need that let me know and I'll try to figure out where I bought the replacement. Cheers, Edouard :beer
I was running late getting home and getting the pics up. And Edouard, I love the Biskit, the Briquette, the Baguette, the uh, the Billy-goat! and the stories. You should write a book. Your humor and style are very refreshing! Left to right. Headlight, Wiper, Accessory, Lighter Pull the headlight position to "ON" Then, press and hold the button on the top of the headlight switch housing and the knob will pull out. You might need to wiggle the knob as you pull it, but it takes very little force. Unscrew the escutcheon, then the switch drops out the back. The wiper knob has a small flat blade screw. Loosen the screw, remove the knob. Unscrew the escutcheon, then the switch drops out the back. Pull the knob off the Accessory switch shaft. Pressed on and little force required. Mine was so loose it would fall off, so I used a very small screwdriver blade on both sides of the metal spring inside the knob and bent it inward a little at a time. Then remove the needle/pointer off the shaft. Be careful not to lose it. Remove the locknut. The escutcheon plate will be free and the switch drops out the back. The lighter backshell unscrews from the body/well of the lighter and the escutcheon and lighter well will come out the front. Oh, be careful with the rubber and paper tubes for the lights, they are pretty delicate after so many years. I used a dot of hot glue to hold them in place. And the pins on the PCB are delicate as well, I had to solder mine and use hot glue to stabilize them until I found a NOS board. I will be detailing my bezel/clusters and putting them back in shortly. Let me know if you need anything else. :bglasses:
Thanks! (Was: How do I remove switches from the dash panel?) Dear TrunkMonkey and V-8 Buick fans of the billy-goat wagon soap opera, . . . Thanks! I've always had a gift for writing. Just one small problem. This soap opera isn't fiction!! ou: Oh well!! . . . . Edouard :beer
Because I added a tach and fuel gauge to the dash I had to eliminate the PCB. In its place I riveted in some two wire bulb sockets for the dash and indicator lights. I also removed the cigarette lighter and in its place installed a push button start set up from Ron Francis that I've been sitting on for 3 years. As soon as I touch up the knobs and bezels I'll reassemble the dash and upload a pic.
