59 Parisiene Headlight switch

59 Parisienne · Member

59 Parisiene Headlight switch

DonSSDD · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

You want original? FYI, the reproduction guys list 58-63 as the same, so Chevy, Corvette will likely be the same, maybe also other GM's from the same years.

Don

59 Parisienne · Member

Don,

A big thank you . From your suggestion I was able to locate a rare piece for my car the headlight switch.(already delivered) to me.
Charles

DonSSDD · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

You're welcome, that's why we get paid the big bucks.

JoeyJoeJoe · Veteran Member

Found this one in the search, I too am looking for a headlight switch for a 59 Parisienne but the ones I have found on most other GMs look different. This one has 6 pins on the side and single plug. The only one similar I can find is a 59/60 caddy but no one seems to have them in stock.

The headlights work on low beam but the high beam won't turn on. I have no dash lights and 0 voltage at the LPS terminal on the fuse box regardless of the switch position. I was hoping it was just the switch but now, based on the scarcity, I may have got my hopes up for nothing. Now I'm hoping one of you fine folks can lead me in the right direction.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

First things first! I would check the dimmer switch. It's common for those to need replacing on our old cars.

JoeyJoeJoe · Veteran Member

Lol, this is embarrassing but any idea where that might be located? I assumed it was controlled by turning the headlight knob.

DonSSDD · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

The old vehicles have a button on the floor under the parking brake. Press it and it changes from high to low beam and vice versa. No stupid questions.

DonSSDD · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Rockauto has pics. The shop manuals have wiring schematics.

does your car have the stock steering column and wiring harness?

DonSSDD · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Rockauto headlight switch.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

DonSSDD wrote:
The old vehicles have a button on the floor under the parking brake. Press it and it changes from high to low beam and vice versa. No stupid questions.

Yes, don't ever be scared to ask a question here because you think it's stupid or you are embarrassed. Any comments making fun of a technical question will be removed by the moderators. Fire away with any questions!

JoeyJoeJoe · Veteran Member

Omg, there it is, under 3 layers of carpet. Thanks so much guys. I can't wait to get home from work to test it out!

JoeyJoeJoe · Veteran Member

That's definitely a different switch than the one I have. That's the one that pops up in most of my searches. I think it's a stock column and wiring harness but I can't be sure.

DonSSDD · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

It would have a much different connector on the harness. Looks like 8 males on the one I posted, only 6 visible on yours.

-- Edited by DonSSDD on Wednesday 21st of June 2023 11:00:01 AM

JoeyJoeJoe · Veteran Member

It's a single plug for my 6 pins but I believe the other style is individual spade connectors for each wire?

DonSSDD · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Charles who posted above seemed to be saying my comment that the Chevy and Pontiac are the same switch but I was starting to wonder.

JoeyJoeJoe · Veteran Member

Okay, got home and tried it out and the dimmer switch is operational. It even turns on a red warming light above the speedometer. I suppose this means the switch is the issue?

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Hmm, so it sounds like it's working if it does that.

In case you don't know how the 4 lamp system works on your 59, on low beam you should have just the outer lights on. On high beam, all 4 lights should be on. However, what also happens when the inner lights some on when you switch to high beam is the floor mounted dimmer switch sends power to not just the inner lamps but also to a different (brighter filament) in the outer lamps.

If the red light comes on with every other press on the floor mounted switch, it does sound like the switch is working. Your two inner lights never come on?

JoeyJoeJoe · Veteran Member

Yes, inner high beam lamps turn on when the button is pressed. I think I must have been stepping on the button inadvertent from time to time as the red light doesn't always show when I have the lights on. My issue now is the dash lights don't work and no voltage at the LPS terminal so I inagine it's the main switch itseIf. I see someone charging $180 US to rebuild them on ebay but I was hoping someone migt have one, or at least know where to get one ?

JoeyJoeJoe · Veteran Member

Or maybe I cut the plug off and wire in the other style of switch available on most GMs in 59?

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

JoeyJoeJoe wrote:
Yes, inner high beam lamps turn on when the button is pressed. I think I must have been stepping on the button inadvertent from time to time as the red light doesn't always show when I have the lights on. My issue now is the dash lights don't work and no voltage at the LPS terminal so I inagine it's the main switch itseIf. I see someone charging $180 US to rebuild them on ebay but I was hoping someone migt have one, or at least know where to get one ?

Have you verified all the fuses are good, using a test light? I would do that first. Then what if you would take a fused live wire and power the LPS wire to see if the dash lamps work?

JoeyJoeJoe · Veteran Member

Tested all the fuses with a ohm meter and everything looks good. I suspected the tabs might be corroded so I cleaned them up. I will try running some power to the dash light circuit. Is there a bench test for the variable resister in the headlight switch?

DonSSDD · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Dont cut anything, maybe someone put a us dash harness in it? The plastic headlight plug can be switched, you can remove from the connector each wire end with a small screwdriver , they have a small clip on the side. But you need to have the wiring schematic to plug them into the correct place on the correct headlight female plug.

Post a picture of your present female headlight switch showing the wire colours. Also, post a pic of your fuse box and a picture of your firewall plugs on the engine side, just below the brake master cylinder. Id like to see if it is the same as a 59 Chevy or something else.

JoeyJoeJoe · Veteran Member

Thanks Don, will do later tonight if I can. Talk soon

DonSSDD · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

The 59 had a generator, is that what you have or do you have an alternator? An alternator is a frequent change, more power than a generator, but it would require a wiring change from stock. Power steering on the 59 was via a pump on the rear of the generator.

I have a 1961 shop manual, Ill post some info from that.