Replacing headlight switch

Series I L27 (1992-1994 SE,SLE, SSE) & Series II L36 (1995-1999 SE, SSE, SLE) and common problems for the Series I and II L67 (all supercharged models 92-99) Including Olds 88's, Olds LSS's, Olds 98 91-96, Buick Lesabres and Park Avenue 91-96. Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.
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John Deere Boy
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Replacing headlight switch

Post by John Deere Boy »

How much of the dash has to come apart? Just spent a day fiberglassing cracks and broken tabs in my door panel and don't want to dig into the dash if it will be another storm of old fragile plastic tabs. Only looking to fix the dead spots in the dash dimmer so should i leave it be?
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J Wikoff
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Re: Replacing headlight switch

Post by J Wikoff »

Take the dash panel off, then the panel above the gauge cluster, IIRC. I did mine a couple years ago and didn't break anything. I don't remember taking too much caution either.
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WHITE WHINE - 1992 SSE Supercharged 236.26 ci (.040 Over) 15.090 at 90.2 MPH on old engine w/ slipping trans & melted O2 sensor - Gen 3 M62 and matching TB, Gen 2 Pully, Zillamotorsports Ported LIM, YT 1.72 Roller Rockers, SII FPR & Injectors, Hypertech Thermomaster chip w/ 160 Thermo, TransGo Shift Kit, Infinity/Pioneer Speakers & a 10" Alpine Type R Sub, all the watts, 140 amp Alternator, Ricepipe CAI w/ heatshield, Pilot Angel Eye Foglights, Clear Corners, '02 17" Chrome Bent 5's, Magnaflow F-Body Muffler and Hi-flo Cat, Ceramic Coated Ported Exhaust Manifolds, Fan Override, Monroe Reflex struts, red calipers
2009 G8 GT - Sport Red Metallic, loaded, SOLO Axlebacks, Rotofab Intake, Tuned, autodim mirror, removed intake manifold cover, HSV GTS triple gauge pod, two tone red-hot shifter and HSV SuperSport steering wheel, GXP rear sway bar and diffuser, 3.45 diff and various Camaro suspension bits, LED Taillights
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skregal
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Re: Replacing headlight switch

Post by skregal »

i've replaced mine like 4 times now. I can do it blindfolded.
Main clipped-on front panel has to be popped off. Bezel around
the switch and top panel over the cluster. I believe they
are torx screws. It takes alot of wiggling to get the switch
out of the hole but it will eventually come out.

The only real risk is popping the clips on the front panel, which
could break.
Black 95 SSEi (original owner) 238K miles
Black 05 GXP (some idiot put the first 12K on it)186K miles
Black 04 Tahoe (original owner)310K miles
Black 16 Traverse (original owner)90K miles
Black 15 Lacrosse (some nice lady put first 15K on it)43K miles
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"You can have one in any color as long as it's black" - H. Ford
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John Deere Boy
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Re: Replacing headlight switch

Post by John Deere Boy »

skregal wrote: The only real risk is popping the clips on the front panel, which
could break.
When you say front panel, are you talking about the fascia that covers the vents, HVAC, radio, and gain slider? If so i'm good there.

Thanks! My interior plastics have turned into a house of cards. Maybe from too much armorall.
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Re: Replacing headlight switch

Post by John Deere Boy »

I waited to long to do this. The switch for auto headlamps is no longer available. Can the switch for manual headlights be piggybacked on to the back of my automatic part of the switch?

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Re: Replacing headlight switch

Post by J Wikoff »

I wondered that same thing when I was doing it. I don't remember the conclusion I came to.
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WHITE WHINE - 1992 SSE Supercharged 236.26 ci (.040 Over) 15.090 at 90.2 MPH on old engine w/ slipping trans & melted O2 sensor - Gen 3 M62 and matching TB, Gen 2 Pully, Zillamotorsports Ported LIM, YT 1.72 Roller Rockers, SII FPR & Injectors, Hypertech Thermomaster chip w/ 160 Thermo, TransGo Shift Kit, Infinity/Pioneer Speakers & a 10" Alpine Type R Sub, all the watts, 140 amp Alternator, Ricepipe CAI w/ heatshield, Pilot Angel Eye Foglights, Clear Corners, '02 17" Chrome Bent 5's, Magnaflow F-Body Muffler and Hi-flo Cat, Ceramic Coated Ported Exhaust Manifolds, Fan Override, Monroe Reflex struts, red calipers
2009 G8 GT - Sport Red Metallic, loaded, SOLO Axlebacks, Rotofab Intake, Tuned, autodim mirror, removed intake manifold cover, HSV GTS triple gauge pod, two tone red-hot shifter and HSV SuperSport steering wheel, GXP rear sway bar and diffuser, 3.45 diff and various Camaro suspension bits, LED Taillights
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John Deere Boy
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Re: Replacing headlight switch

Post by John Deere Boy »

Ordered one, i'll report back.
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Re: Replacing headlight switch

Post by John Deere Boy »

Yep the Standard Motor Products DS656 switch screws right on the back of the twilight sentinel part. No need to find the discontinued DS657. Check out the filings and/or corrosion on my old dimmer.

I wanted to remove the cluster and clean the connections for my intermittent DIC, but couldn't get enough wire pulled out to disconnect the cluster. The plastic is all so fragile.

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Re: Replacing headlight switch

Post by J Wikoff »

Excellent. Good find!
Image
WHITE WHINE - 1992 SSE Supercharged 236.26 ci (.040 Over) 15.090 at 90.2 MPH on old engine w/ slipping trans & melted O2 sensor - Gen 3 M62 and matching TB, Gen 2 Pully, Zillamotorsports Ported LIM, YT 1.72 Roller Rockers, SII FPR & Injectors, Hypertech Thermomaster chip w/ 160 Thermo, TransGo Shift Kit, Infinity/Pioneer Speakers & a 10" Alpine Type R Sub, all the watts, 140 amp Alternator, Ricepipe CAI w/ heatshield, Pilot Angel Eye Foglights, Clear Corners, '02 17" Chrome Bent 5's, Magnaflow F-Body Muffler and Hi-flo Cat, Ceramic Coated Ported Exhaust Manifolds, Fan Override, Monroe Reflex struts, red calipers
2009 G8 GT - Sport Red Metallic, loaded, SOLO Axlebacks, Rotofab Intake, Tuned, autodim mirror, removed intake manifold cover, HSV GTS triple gauge pod, two tone red-hot shifter and HSV SuperSport steering wheel, GXP rear sway bar and diffuser, 3.45 diff and various Camaro suspension bits, LED Taillights
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SSEBonne4evr
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Re: Replacing headlight switch

Post by SSEBonne4evr »

kool nice job
90 SSE Bonneville Sold but not forgotten.
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MKMike
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Re: Replacing headlight switch

Post by MKMike »

Thanks for posting your result.
Surely it will help others.
I appreciate the good clear pics, too.
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