Headlight Switch

[Freddog11]

I had to replace the headlight switch on my '96 today. Last Saturday, I was driving along about dusk, as it got darker I noticed that my headlights were off. I jiggled the switch and they came on. They worked again on the way home, but once I got home, they were done.

I did a search and found several threads that made the repair much easier. The switch was toast, and the harness was a bit melted, but still usable. 52 bucks for a new switch at the local dealer. Took about 30 minutes.

Once I got done, I washed my baby, detailed the engine, including buffing out the logos on the valve covers and the strips on the cylinder heads. Turned into a full project Viper day.

 

[banal]

My knob is broken. The light and switch itself work, but the knob comes off easily (something plastic clip must have snapped). Dealership quoted $95 for the piece. Outrageous.

Did the $52 switch include the knob?

 

[Freddog11]

No, that was for the switch only, I used the existing knob. Does the knob come off the end or does the whole stem come out of the switch. I doubt that the stem could go bad. You can reach under the dash and feel for the light switch assembly. On the top there is a button that releases the knob and stem. You might be able to remove that and get a better idea what the problem is.

 

[GTSnake]

If you would have bought a Ford Contour headlight switch it would fall right in. Probably could have saved you a few bucks. Check the thread where it lists all the carryover parts used on other vehicles. The knob is unique to the Viper but the switch itself is made by Eaton (now Delphi) and is the exact same part. How do I know this? That was my program back in the day...