My dimmer switch in my 91 RS is stuck on high beam,The dimmer seems to be out,it does not click or feel like there is any resistance at all.Has anyone changed one before and or know where i can get one?

 

I had mine do that, if i wasnt at school 5 hours from my car id go take pictures to try and show you what im talking about... it was a couple of years ago we did this (so im tryin 2 remember) but somewhere up inside the dash there are 2 screws that bring the plastic switch assembly closer to the rod that pushes in on it to change from high to low beam. you have to move both the screws and the one that is more on the back side is really a pain in the *** to get to. Sorry i cant be more precise but if you can get up inside there and look at it you should be able to see what im talking about. Hopefully someone else can help ya a little better but atleast youve got a general idea so long as its the same problem i had. hopefully you dont have to get a new one

 

I had and stil have the same problem so good luck. I bought the switch at Advance Auto you pick em up at any parts store i believe. However the problem is getting to them. I attempted to and its way down in the colum. You have to pull the steering wheel air bag and all, then there is some type of backing plate you have to remove then there is a lock ring I believe it holds the turnsignal cam or smething in place. This is where i stopped I couldnt get the turn signal cam out because of lack of knowledge at this point and fear of serious dmage to something else in the colum. I called Hawks because i dont live but 30 miles from them and the guy told me they could do it for about 150. but he said he would rather change a colum than do that because its very hard to get to. So if this gives you an idea of how aggravating it is and you dont think u can do it (no shame there) try to find a shop near you that can handle it, hope this helps.

 

wow that really sucks,I dont think I want to even attempt that.I wonder if it is possible to direct wire the head light switch with a toggle switch to turn the high beems off or on.Any thoughts?

 

well like i say if you cant get that switch assembly moved up on your own im sure you could find the wires going to it and switch it, you can switch pretty much anything (vats, speed limiter, converter lockup etc.)

 

Perhaps the later models are different, but on my 85, the switch is at the exterior base of the steering column (pull the hush panel and nose about a bit and you'll see it). Yes, it was somewhat difficult to work on given the confines of the space, but certainly not impossible. You should be able to make the repair yourself with a few basic hand tools. You might consider a shop manual.

JamesC

 

I have the same exact problem with my 92 rs.. i was told if i pull the fuses out for the airbag and stuff that i could drop the coloum and change it.. i can see the switch and i can push it and it works fine, it's that little rod looking thing that pushes it that wasn't reaching, idk what is holding the switch into place (bolt, phillips, flathead etc..) so if anyone can tell me that it'd be great i've got a brand new switch for the car but i don't think it completely needs to be switched, just pushed foward

 

Wow - way too complicated!! The switch is at the bottom of the steering column, no need to remove the airbag or anything - just the underdash panels! The lever pushes a rod through the column down to the switch at the bottom of the column where your brake pedal is. Put driver seat all the way down as flat as it will go, lay in it feet at headrest, slide head under steering wheel. You want to have a 7mm & 8mm socket and wrench with you, and a light - get your arms above your head before you slide all the way in the footwell. Then, look up - the switch is right under your nose! Work the lever, and you'll see the rod moving in the column that pushes the button on the switch.

Skip Advance or Autozone here - get Napa or Carquest - you only want to do this once this week! And be careful - those are self-tapping sheet metal screws and they strip easily - just get it adjusted and tightened enough to hold it - don't strip it!

 

it's just so dang cramped down there it seems impossible to reach up into that area.. i guess once my car get's back from paint i'll get down there and look, but if i remember right, i could barly fit my hand in there.. and i'm only 5'7 and 140 lbs.. so i'm pretty small compared to most guy's working on their car and i was just thinking if i can't get my hand in there, how am i going to fit a ratchet or anything in there..that's where the coloum drop came into play..

 

[QUOTE=green92;360689the guy told me they could do it for about 150[/QUOTE]

I assume he was wearing a black mask.
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My size and I'm 60. What's that mean? Quit whining and get in there and do it

JamesC

 

lol, i just met i got smaller hands then a 6 foot guy like yourself and i have trouble reaching in there.. and i'll quit whining and do it once the car's back from paint lol, i just read another thread on the whole intierior lights not working so i gotta go look at that too... oh well.. everytime i fix somting on my car another goes wrong.. lol

 

That's not feet, that's years (so now you really have no excuse)!

JamesC

 

how about you come fix my switch for me and we call it good? lol

 

The rod or the flimsy little mounting bracket for the switch could just be bent, I've run into that a lot. If so, you can simply tweak things with a flat-blade screwdriver and/or needle-nose pliers until the switch works properly.

 

I have a dimmer switch from an 88 Formy--$15 plus shipping if anybody still needs one!

 

like i said that switch assembly that the rod is pushing into can be moved forward its just a pain getting to it get in there loosen it and move it forward... problem solved and you got to save your money!

 

anytime I work on the column or instrument cluster I drop the column loose from the from the frame. Take off the kick plate (like 4 or 5 screws), then take loose the 2 13mm nuts that hold the column up (make sure you have your head out of the way), then you got plenty of room to work, just loosen the 2 screws a bit slide the switch assembly towards the steering wheel a little, then snug screws down, check to see if the actuator now engages the dimmer switch. Also check to make sure your ignition cylinder can turn through all positions properly as that little switch assembly is also your ignition switch. Then bolt the column back up and button up the trim panel

 

You know taking out the seat may sound extreme but 4 bolts and a couple of power seat clips and the biggest obstacle to getting in there is in your driveway.

 

great thread!! i reached up, loosened the 2 screws, moved the switch ahead,just a hair. retightened it and i was done. 10 minutes later my 91 bird has high and low beams now