I have functioning low beams!

"KnowsAboutCars" (knowsaboutcars)
09/21/2020 at 15:52 • Filed to: Electra project

No more stuck on high beams and taped out headlights!

So, a while back my high-low switch broke. The way it broke down was rather funny. I was driving on unlit stretch of road when suddenly the headlights started to flicker and then went out completely. The only way I could get even some form of visibility was to keep the high-low beam switch pushed in continuously which of course broke it.

Anyway, yesterday I finally got to fixing it. Sure GM probably saved a lot of money by sticking on to the 50's(?) Saginaw steering column until the 90's but that doesn’t make fixing stuff on them the most ergonomic task. The light switch is located on the end of a rod that goes from the stalk down the steering column. In order to change it you first need to take out the bracket holding steering column up and then twist yourself into an uncomfortable position to be able to reach the 2nd screw and connector. Also, in the Buick’s case you’d need to take out the plastic instrument panel surround in order to take out the plastic panel beneath steering column in one piece (I learned this too late).

You could also remove completely the hvac tube running beneath steering column but I wasn’t bothered to unscrew the manual choke a previous owner had installed that made removing that tube too much of an chore.

Breaking that didn’t take much force at all. You can just screw out this panel on Chevys counterpart. Why must it be more complicated here?

So, any you guys have a blue lower vent panel for B-body Buick laying around?

Old and new.

DISCUSSION (9)

lone_liberal > KnowsAboutCars
09/21/2020 at 15:56

I might have vent panel for a second gen F-body but no such luck for a Buick. Hell, I have an extra steering column too but m y high/low beam selector is on the floor where God and General Motors intended it to be.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > KnowsAboutCars
09/21/2020 at 16:04

I’m sure there are some parts network hookups in Finland that can source parts across the Atlantic and ship them considering how big classic American cars are over there.

I need my blue lower B Body vent to prop up my desk so you’ll have to find another one.

KnowsAboutCars > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
09/21/2020 at 16:37

There are. And these were popular enough back in the day that I’m hoping to find one locally.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > KnowsAboutCars
09/21/2020 at 17:14

Oh, were these that popular as imports when new?

KnowsAboutCars > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
09/21/2020 at 18:12

There were (and still are) dealerships importing these amongst other American cars back whe n they were new . The B-body wagons seem to have been one of the more popular models. Most had their original rear seats removed and replaced with “temporary” plywood seats in order to dodge some taxes by being registered as vans (see also 3rd gen Camaro/Firebird pickup conversions). I guess the booming economy in the 80's meant that people were more willing to put money into these.

shop-teacher > KnowsAboutCars
09/21/2020 at 19:10

That's a sweet wagon!

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > KnowsAboutCars
09/21/2020 at 20:08

That reminds me of the Transit Connects shipped here as passenger vans to be later stripped and converted to cargo versions. Tax fidges can be funny sometimes.

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > KnowsAboutCars
09/21/2020 at 21:18

Amazing how complicated steering columns can be, like Reginald Finger’s Fiero. Oh wait that’s probably the same one.

One of the high beams was dead on my SAAB when I bought it. Turned out to be a cracked solder joint in the bulb check module

KnowsAboutCars > MiniGTI - now with XJ6
09/22/2020 at 02:08

Yeah, Fieros probably have the same one too. Speaking if them, someone on my street has one. Not the most common car around here.