Gil’s Garage
Gil Baumgartner
CTCI Authenticity Chairman
As a general rule the head lamp switch instrument light rheostat has a short life. The restoration manual page 302/303 shows how to bypass the instrument lamp rheostat circuit to insure instrument lights are always available . An easier modification has been discovered by using a double push terminal connecter. They can be purchased from NAPA Auto Parts as well as other electrical connecter suppliers. See photo 1.
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Shown is the head lamp switch removed from the dash. The blue with red end or strip depending on model year supplies voltage to the instrument lamp circuit. The blue/red wire has been removed from its male push on terminal which is the terminal closest to the dash on the head lamp switch. The double push on terminal is installed where the black wire normally goes. The black wire originally supplied voltage to the instrument lamps through a contact to the rheostat. Both the black wire and the blue with red wire are now connected to the double end of the push-on connecter. Voltage is now supplied to the instrument lamp circuit anytime the head lamp switch is in the on position. See Photo 2.
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Gil Baumgartner