I need to replace my headlight switch on my 66 Elcamino what is the easiest way?

Buy the new switch first. Look it over and you will see that on one side is a small metal button which is spring loaded to the touch. That button must be fully depressed to be able to pull out the switch knob from the old switch while it is still in the dash. Un hook the neg. battery post first., before you start the actual switch removal.

The on/off switch knob and shaft will come out with a little twisting and gently pulling as you hold in the spring loaded button. Be gentle but firm and with a little persistence, it will come out. This is a 1 hand under the dash on the button and one pulling on the knob at the same time. Then unplug the wiring connector from the switch - all in one module. Now you can unscrew the bezel holding the switch to the dash. It may be tight and need a careful little nudge with a small screwdriver and a tap on the handle - counter clockwise.

Reverse the install and hold in the same button to re-insert the knob last. Good Luck with it.

I need to replace the knob on my 71 convert. Would the knob removale be the same????

I need to replace the knob on my 71 convert. Would the knob removale be the same????

Yes. Just follow the advice above and disconnect the battery first, as the switch will be in the "on" position once the knob is removed. I accidentally drained the battery on my Camaro when I removed the switch and left it out for a few days, without noticing that the lights were on. :clonk:

so i can get my hand up in there? i don't need to loosen the dash

Be sure to check the headlight dimmer switch on the floor, first.
They are much more likely to fail and when they quit, so do the headlights.
May also be corrosion on the plug contacts at the dimmer as well.

Dan

All of the above, plus an additional tip:

If you can (meaning wire slack & working room), plug the connector into the switch 1st, then finagle it up into position and then install the hold-down nut!

(More frustration than a squad of GI's in a t*tty-bar trying to get the connector lined up, and pressed onto the contacts when upside-down on your head, and the connectors face "UP"....:D..... at least on a '65. Plus all that "torque'ing" on the wimpy plastic dash...)

so i can get my hand up in there? i don't need to loosen the dash

Yes... If you have small hands and an extensive vocabulary. There's a lot of obstacles and sharp metal edges behind the dash. ;) Seriously, I have never done it on a '66, but have done it on several other cars and it's doable without removing the dash.

I attempted to remove the headlight knob today as described. I pressed the spring loaded button and then pulled and pulled and pulled. NOTHING !!!! Any Advise ???? I just want to replace the knob not break the whole switch........ Thanks

have a 67 El camino and have replaced the headlight switch,first check the dimmer switch,then if it is the headlight switch push the button in push the knob in and out and it will come out,and also connect the plug to it before you put the switch back in the dash,you will learn new cuss words and you will need a 12 pack of beer,I know I've been there!!

I attempted to remove the headlight knob today as described. I pressed the spring loaded button and then pulled and pulled and pulled. NOTHING !!!! Any Advise ???? I just want to replace the knob not break the whole switch........ Thanks

Those switches are not exactly built like Swiss watches, so sometimes the knob will come out with a light push of the button, sometimes it seems to be darn near impossible. In my experience, the problem has usually been to get your finger in the right position to get the button pushed in far enough.

Could also be that it has been there long enough to get stuck in gunk and debris. All I know to do is to keep on trying, push harder on the button, wiggle the knob, whatever. It will come out, eventually.

you will learn new cuss words and you will need a 12 pack of beer,I know I've been there!!

That is indeed part of the light switch knob removal sometimes. Also keep some Band-Aids handy.... as I mentioned in my previous post, there's usually a lot of sharp metal edges behind the dash. Have fun! :D

I gained access to the button easily by taking off the dash pad. I'll give it another try. I pulled pretty hard, but was concerned about the the breakage factor.

I gained access to the button easily by taking off the dash pad. I'll give it another try. I pulled pretty hard, but was concerned about the the breakage factor.

If it's totally impossible, just cut the knob off and then remove the whole assembly so you can work on it on the workbench. If you're still not able to get the shaft removed, just throw the whole ¤%#&?% thing away and get a new switch. I used to spend hours trying to salvage cheap parts, but nowadays I don't think it's worth the time and aggravation.

BTW: I believe a new switch could brighten up your headlights as well, so it might be a good idea to replace it anyway.

I DID IT !!!!! Just when iI was about to give up I pressed the button gave a pull and out it came... I must have 100 times and on 101 it came out. These things make no sense ?????:hurray::hurray::hurray: