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How to change headlight dimmer switch?

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Old 12-18-2006, 01:20 AM
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Default How to change headlight dimmer switch?

Mine is pretty much shot and it's driving me crazy. Has anyone ever changed this switch? What all is involved?
Old 12-18-2006, 02:27 AM
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should be able to pop the a/c vent off with 1 hand
then there's probably two 7mm bolts holding the dimmer/headlamp switch into place.

should be really simple
Old 12-18-2006, 04:11 AM
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this is very easy, dimmer switch costs about 55$
the molding around the dimmer, and vent pop right off,

then you need 7mm socket w/ an extension, or a socket driver,

take out the 2 bolts,

pull out the old dimmer switch, disconnect the wire harness/clip,

take the new one and repeat the steps backwards.

this is a very simple task and only takes 5-10mins (and the dealer wanted $175 to in stall) i said ill figure it out my self.
Old 12-18-2006, 05:13 PM
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I guess I should have been more specific. I'm talking about the high beam switch. I've got to really smack it to get the high beams on and off. Any thoughts on this one?
Old 12-19-2006, 07:42 AM
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High beam switch versus headlight Dimmer switch?
Specific versus not even close..
Old 12-19-2006, 11:18 AM
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Hey thanks for the smart *** comment and no help. Now go swallow a bullet. Anyone have any ideas on this?
Old 12-20-2006, 09:41 PM
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Anyone run into this? Does the steering wheel need to come off?
Old 12-21-2006, 02:36 PM
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Originally Posted by 99ZEOD
Anyone run into this? Does the steering wheel need to come off?
Steering wheel doesn't need to come off at all. Pull the little plastic cover off from behind it. You'll then see a connector going to the stalk. Pull it off. Now gently pull straight back on the switch like pulling a carrot It'll come right out.

Looking at the FSM, looks as if there are two screws then holding in the unit and a wiring harness towards the back.

Last edited by ChicagoTransAm; 12-21-2006 at 02:57 PM.
Old 12-21-2006, 02:38 PM
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Originally Posted by tt2000z28
High beam switch versus headlight Dimmer switch?
Specific versus not even close..
Oh and hey MORON. It's actually called a multi-function switch. But even in the field service manual, that part of the switch is called... <drum roll> a dimmer switch!

Keep your two cents to yourself idiot.
Old 12-21-2006, 03:47 PM
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Chicago TransAm, Thanks for the help man. I really appreciate it.
Old 12-21-2006, 04:03 PM
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I had to lower my steering column in mine. Didn't really need to be switched I just bent the pushrod and it works great now.
Old 12-21-2006, 06:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Craiggg
I had to lower my steering column in mine. Didn't really need to be switched I just bent the pushrod and it works great now.
Hmm.. sounds like a cheaper fix I would go with his idea first?
Old 12-21-2006, 11:47 PM
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Yeah after you lower the steering column (3 or 4 bolts I forget) you will see the rod going to the dimmer switch. Push it with ur finger and see if it clicks. If so just bend the rod upwards and it should work fine. Stick a screwdriver or something from the bottom and bend it upwards. Also another thing I noticed is when I tilted the steering wheel up it would click but not when it's down cause I had to smack it hard to to get it to switch.
Old 12-22-2006, 05:48 PM
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Cool, thanks for the advice Craiggg. I'll check that out before I replace the switch.
Old 12-31-2006, 10:56 AM
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On this dimmer switch, the Canadian version, does not operate the same as ours. While we're able to toggle the switch to the left to shut the lights off, day or night, they cannot. More than likely due to the stricter laws requiring DRLs and the like.

Can the Canadian version be changed to how ours work? I know it's a bit more complicated than changing switches. Seems to be an added relay in the system, I think. Any advice would be appreciated and thanks in advance.
Old 12-31-2006, 12:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Quadrant
On this dimmer switch, the Canadian version, does not operate the same as ours. While we're able to toggle the switch to the left to shut the lights off, day or night, they cannot. More than likely due to the stricter laws requiring DRLs and the like.

Can the Canadian version be changed to how ours work? I know it's a bit more complicated than changing switches. Seems to be an added relay in the system, I think. Any advice would be appreciated and thanks in advance.
What type of car? camaro or T/A? I know way back in the day, I had a buddy with a Canadian SHO that had a simple relay to be unplugged....
Old 01-01-2007, 08:47 AM
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Sorry, that would help. It's a '04 GMC Sierra Denali. From the thread it looks like the switch is the same type used in a variety of the GM vehicles. I was hoping to get some technical advice and reference on what socket leading to the additional relay was the one that could be bypassed or changed to the other type socket connection that we have, so the Canadian version could have his headlights/DRLs operate like the US version, the ability to shut off either/both or off completely while idling.



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