Just wondering what tools have ppl used to swap out the dimmer switch.? Everyone says it's a quick and easy fix, which is how it looked, but it is impossible for me to fit my socket wrench in there to get that first bolt. What tool's have you all used for this.?

 

If you're referring to the remote dimmer switch on firebirds then it can be a pain in the ***, I believed I used a very short wrench to get in there and loosen the bolt, once it was loose I either used my fingers to take it out or I had a small ratchet.

All I remember from the job was that it was a real pain but well worth it to have dash lights again

 

Aren't they almost the same between camaros and Firebirds.? But I have a camaro. As I was trying, I figured if I did get that bolt off then I don't know how I'd maneuver the wrench or my fingers to even get the bolt back on.

 

Are you referring to this dimmer switch? If so I'm pretty sure they're only in firebirds but I could be wrong

 

Oh, yeah ours are longer and narrower than that

 

Does this help?
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...placement.html

 

Not really, I just need to figure out what tool to use. I think I could use a normal wrench but would need to know the size, and with a wrench I don't know how I'd get the bolts back on from that upside down angle.

 

Most of the little screws inside the car's cabin/cockpit are 7mm heads

If you are talking about the dimmer switch on the bottom of the steering column, just drop the column down and it makes it much easier.

Take any plastic panels off under the dash below the column, take the 2 bolts off that holds column up (13mm or 15mm head, can't remember, but think it's 13mm)

Column will lower down, then use a 1/4" drive ratchet and 7mm socket to remove the screws.

Heck I use a dewalt cordless 1/4" drive impact with a flex shaft and 7mm nut setter with magnet in the end of it.

 

Ok thanks, that helps. To get the column down do I have to remove the upper panel to do that, or can I do it from the bottom panel where the dimmer switch is.?

 

Or matter fact I seen you said take the panels off under dash, so that means both right.? And the screws would probably be under the upper panel.?

 

That was one of the suggestions in the link I posted, drop the column. But it also mentioned how to adjust it properly. Good luck.

 

Oh ok , thanks. But it does need to be replaced it was adjusted years ago and I still haven't had high beams. So I'm going to try dropping the column today.

 

I see. I was wondering why you didn't mention the adjustment part. Dropping the column is pretty easy once you remove the panels. Yes, both panels need to be removed as the steering column will drop down to the seat. There are two bolts on either side of the column, 15mm IIRC. From what I recall, the steering wheel will rest on the seat if you have tilt and adjust it downward.

FWIW, I've found the heads on the 7mm screws to be on the shallow side so I ended up filing/grinding the open end one of my sockets down to get a better grip on them.

 

Alright thanks for the extra info, I was going to try it today but ran out of time, so I'm going to try knocking it out tomorrow morning. Sounds easy enough.

 

I swapped out the dimmer switch, but in doing so I must've pulled the rod out of place on accident. The rod that pushes into the dimmer switch when you flip the turn signal etc lever to switch between lo n high beams, does anyone know how I can get to that part of the lever to fix it.? I didn't see any screws or anything connecting the pieces around it.

 

I tried taking pics of a parts column I have but they were blurry and was missing the lever anyway. Below are links that should help better than what I came up with. IIRC, you might have to take it apart from the front if you can't get it hooked back up from the outside. Both threads linked below may show how to do this or you can also search via youtube for disassembly info.


From here:
http://www.camaroz28.com/forums/gene...-beams-726560/

Difficult angle but shows the rod attached to the dimmer and the shape at the end to go with the other pic above. I'm thinking if you can see what is inside you amy be able to manipulate it back in place.

From here:
http://www.fiero.nl/cgi-bin/fiero/sh...&thread=088020

It doesn't seem like there is much room for it to move around so there could be a problem inside anyway. Did you check the old dimmer switch my moving it manually by hand? (Ie. plug it back in and see if it works.)

 

Thanks those pics are perfect, I'll check the links in a second. And I think I messed it up by taking my hand and tugging/pushing/pulling the rod in and out of place by hand when I was trying to adjust the new switch, so I think I must've pulled it out of place.

 

That was a PITA to adjust. I dropped the column down as advised above, but getting to that rear bolt was not easy. Took me three hours to get it done. Oddly enough, my bolts were 8mm instead of the standard 7mm. Weird.