Light Switch Knob & Shaft Release Button

[Bill Pritchard]

This time removing my dash panel (third time in 7 months) I had a REALLY hard time getting the knob & shaft out of the light switch. It's not easy accessing the release button while the switch is still attached to the panel. Was finally successful, and now that it's out, I removed the switch from the car and stuck the knob & shaft back in.....and even with no access issues, it's damn near impossible to get it back out. Is there some trick, or do I need a new switch (the one in the car is not a Delco Remy original).

As an aside, I have three other headlight switches (original Delco Remy items) that I've had for years, from either 69 Impalas or 69 Chevelles, which look identical to the one from my 73 Camaro. All three of them still have the knob & shaft in them.....and I can't get any of them out either.

[Rsconv68]

You have to push the spring loaded button down and then a little bit more. Some are just stubborn.

[mnyenko]

Twist the knob all the way left or right. That seems to help.

[Bill Pritchard]

Thanks for the suggestions, gentlemen. I was able to remove the knob and shaft from all three of the Delco Remy light switches by pulling the knob out then depressing the button. When trying that on the "Brand X" switch that came in my car, you can't even push the button in by hand when the shaft is pulled out. I Had to use a Channel-Lock pliers to depress the button, and then the shaft comes out. Needless to say, that switch is going in the garbage and hopefully one of the three Delco Remy switches is still functional that I can install that back in the car.

[Igosplut]

Working in a Chevy dealership in the late 70s, I was instructed to pull the headlight switch shaft all the way out, then push the button to release it. Sometimes you had to gently rock the shaft slightly to release it, but that was the proper way.

[Rsconv68]

IGO is correct, you have to pull the shaft out fully and then depress the button.

[mhm1966]

Here is the button to release the knob and shaft.