1998 headlight knob removal !!!
#1
1998 headlight **** removal !!!
I am shaking I am so angry!!!
I am simply trying to take the headlight **** off on my 1998 Navigator (same as some F150s?)....to replace some dash lights that are out. This assembly has the 2 rotating wheels, 1 for dash light intensity & 1 for auto headlight turn on.
I have heard here & on the internet that you need to use a small screwdriver (or paperclip) and somehow find a spot in/under the **** through a whole in the **** when you pull it out for fog lights....and then it slides right off.
Another post says/shows you just use the hole on the bottom of the **** to PRY it off.
I have been trying to get this **** off for 5 DAYS now, and it doesn't budge!
I even brought it too the Lincoln dealer down the street and they (parts & service dept.) don't know how to take this **** off! They simply tell me they don't sell the **** separately, and I'll have to buy the WHOLE headlight switch assembly if I break it!
IS THERE ANYONE ON EARTH THAT KNOWS HOW TO TAKE THIS **** OFF???
I am not an idiot, I can build a motorcycle in ONE day....I just don't want to break this ****.
(I realize the 1999 headlight switch assembly is different, w/ a slot on the assembly instead of the slot on the **** itself)
This is the last 2 warm days of the year here in the North East....I would like to get this done, or live w/o some dash lights all winter.
THANKS,
I am simply trying to take the headlight **** off on my 1998 Navigator (same as some F150s?)....to replace some dash lights that are out. This assembly has the 2 rotating wheels, 1 for dash light intensity & 1 for auto headlight turn on.
I have heard here & on the internet that you need to use a small screwdriver (or paperclip) and somehow find a spot in/under the **** through a whole in the **** when you pull it out for fog lights....and then it slides right off.
Another post says/shows you just use the hole on the bottom of the **** to PRY it off.
I have been trying to get this **** off for 5 DAYS now, and it doesn't budge!
I even brought it too the Lincoln dealer down the street and they (parts & service dept.) don't know how to take this **** off! They simply tell me they don't sell the **** separately, and I'll have to buy the WHOLE headlight switch assembly if I break it!
IS THERE ANYONE ON EARTH THAT KNOWS HOW TO TAKE THIS **** OFF???
I am not an idiot, I can build a motorcycle in ONE day....I just don't want to break this ****.
(I realize the 1999 headlight switch assembly is different, w/ a slot on the assembly instead of the slot on the **** itself)
This is the last 2 warm days of the year here in the North East....I would like to get this done, or live w/o some dash lights all winter.
THANKS,
Last edited by bb1; 12-05-2011 at 01:45 PM.
#2
To remove the headlight switch.
Turn the headlights to on and pull the switch out a little bit.
Then look at the bottom of the ****, you should see a very small opening.
Insert a very thin tool into the ****, this should release the ****, and allow it to pull off.
Rotate the **** 180 degrees and reinstall it. The bottom of the **** should now be pointing at the headlights on position.
Now, turn the **** counter-clockwise like you're turning the lights off. Turn the **** back to the headlights on position. This is what releases the entire switch assembly from the dash.
Pull the assembly to remove it.
Here is a video in post #2 of this thread.... I use a small thin screwdriver pushing inward to release the '**** tab' inside, so it doesn't break, this guy just pops his off with a larger screwdiver, but that is the access hole...
https://www.f150online.com/forums/ar...r-97-03-a.html
More pictures, towards the bottom of this page...
http://www.askamechanic.info/askamec...nt/view/60/47/
Hope this helps..
Turn the headlights to on and pull the switch out a little bit.
Then look at the bottom of the ****, you should see a very small opening.
Insert a very thin tool into the ****, this should release the ****, and allow it to pull off.
Rotate the **** 180 degrees and reinstall it. The bottom of the **** should now be pointing at the headlights on position.
Now, turn the **** counter-clockwise like you're turning the lights off. Turn the **** back to the headlights on position. This is what releases the entire switch assembly from the dash.
Pull the assembly to remove it.
Here is a video in post #2 of this thread.... I use a small thin screwdriver pushing inward to release the '**** tab' inside, so it doesn't break, this guy just pops his off with a larger screwdiver, but that is the access hole...
https://www.f150online.com/forums/ar...r-97-03-a.html
More pictures, towards the bottom of this page...
http://www.askamechanic.info/askamec...nt/view/60/47/
Hope this helps..
Last edited by RaptoRx7; 12-05-2011 at 04:06 PM. Reason: Added info...
#4
Do you need to do the whole 180deg. thing with the 99-2000's ones too?
#5
To remove the headlight switch.
Turn the headlights to on and pull the switch out a little bit.
Then look at the bottom of the ****, you should see a very small opening.
Insert a very thin tool into the ****, this should release the ****, and allow it to pull off.
Rotate the **** 180 degrees and reinstall it. The bottom of the **** should now be pointing at the headlights on position.
Now, turn the **** counter-clockwise like you're turning the lights off. Turn the **** back to the headlights on position. This is what releases the entire switch assembly from the dash.
Pull the assembly to remove it.
Here is a video in post #2 of this thread.... I use a small thin screwdriver pushing inward to release the '**** tab' inside, so it doesn't break, this guy just pops his off with a larger screwdiver, but that is the access hole...
https://www.f150online.com/forums/ar...r-97-03-a.html
More pictures, towards the bottom of this page...
http://www.askamechanic.info/askamec...nt/view/60/47/
Hope this helps..
Turn the headlights to on and pull the switch out a little bit.
Then look at the bottom of the ****, you should see a very small opening.
Insert a very thin tool into the ****, this should release the ****, and allow it to pull off.
Rotate the **** 180 degrees and reinstall it. The bottom of the **** should now be pointing at the headlights on position.
Now, turn the **** counter-clockwise like you're turning the lights off. Turn the **** back to the headlights on position. This is what releases the entire switch assembly from the dash.
Pull the assembly to remove it.
Here is a video in post #2 of this thread.... I use a small thin screwdriver pushing inward to release the '**** tab' inside, so it doesn't break, this guy just pops his off with a larger screwdiver, but that is the access hole...
https://www.f150online.com/forums/ar...r-97-03-a.html
More pictures, towards the bottom of this page...
http://www.askamechanic.info/askamec...nt/view/60/47/
Hope this helps..
They all say how "easy" it is to get the **** off by sliding a screwdriver or pick in that small slot on the ****.
I HAVE BEEN DOING THAT (off & on) FOR 5 DAYS! It doesn't budge!!!
I have been using all sorts of small screwdrivers, nails, picks, awl's, etc.
KNOW ONE shows you a pic of what the back of that **** looks like (or the shaft) so you can figure where you should be picking at.
I hear there is some sort of spring latch holding it on. Is that spring latch on the **** itself, or on the shaft?
To take it off do you-
Push straight in?
Push up or down?
Straight at the shaft?
Below the shaft?
Above the shaft?
On the **** itself?
On the shaft below the ****?
I keep hearing about people who have broke this **** on their 97-98 Ford trucks, and Ford does NOT sell the **** separately. I hear the Lincoln assembly is $350!
This is not "easy" to get off as all the internet instructions 'fluff over' and say.
Anyone with real experience? Or a pic?
#6
#7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvWrehBENPc
Trending Topics
#8
It looks like I should be going in at a slight (normal) angle, dead center, feeling for a notch/hole on the ****....pushing in on the plastic clip on the post.
I went to a Lincoln/Mercury & Ford dealer earlier today, and they both said I should be looking/feeling for a clip below the shaft.
#10
Well I couldn't wait, and went out in the dark to try the **** again. NOTHING....it would not budge! I tried every object I could find that would fit in that hole/notch, nothing worked.
My main tool was the smallest Craftsman phillips head screwdriver....I even tried their mini screwdriver.
How much pressure does it take to unlatch this **** ? How much should I be yanking on it??? I could easily break the **** or shaft if I use any more force.
I just can't believe it!!! I think I am feeling the opening in the center of the **** that goes to that catch on the plastic shaft w/ the screwdriver....but NOTHING at all happens!!!
While it goes ding,ding,ding,ding,ding,ding.ding........
The only difference I can think of is I have the 2 rotary wheel switch assembly. I can't believe that Lincoln designed their own **** or something!
My main tool was the smallest Craftsman phillips head screwdriver....I even tried their mini screwdriver.
How much pressure does it take to unlatch this **** ? How much should I be yanking on it??? I could easily break the **** or shaft if I use any more force.
I just can't believe it!!! I think I am feeling the opening in the center of the **** that goes to that catch on the plastic shaft w/ the screwdriver....but NOTHING at all happens!!!
While it goes ding,ding,ding,ding,ding,ding.ding........
The only difference I can think of is I have the 2 rotary wheel switch assembly. I can't believe that Lincoln designed their own **** or something!
#11
Wow... mine pops off easier than that.... I'll see if I can put a video up and more pics...
Updated.... pictures are in photobucket album.... Video is loading, but super slow.... I can push in with one finger, like photo, and it will come off...
http://s1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee393/RaptoRx77/
Updated.... pictures are in photobucket album.... Video is loading, but super slow.... I can push in with one finger, like photo, and it will come off...
http://s1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee393/RaptoRx77/
Last edited by RaptoRx7; 12-05-2011 at 08:58 PM. Reason: Updated
#12
BTW, I went twice to the local Lincoln/Mercury dealer a couple miles down the street from me. They gave me 3 different stories about how to get the **** off....dumbest service & parts people I have ever meet.
They really didn't want to help me at all....but told me to leave the truck with them and they would have a "professional" mechanic take the **** off the dash....(something like a $150 hr).
My sister and her husband bought 2 vehicles from this dealer a few years ago on the same day....and they are ready to buy 2 more new vehicles right now.
After hearing how they treated me, they are never going to set foot on that lot again (Rt.9 in Massachusetts)!
These morns can't even get a **** off one of their own dash boards with out making it a major project! Sickening....
They really didn't want to help me at all....but told me to leave the truck with them and they would have a "professional" mechanic take the **** off the dash....(something like a $150 hr).
My sister and her husband bought 2 vehicles from this dealer a few years ago on the same day....and they are ready to buy 2 more new vehicles right now.
After hearing how they treated me, they are never going to set foot on that lot again (Rt.9 in Massachusetts)!
These morns can't even get a **** off one of their own dash boards with out making it a major project! Sickening....
Last edited by bb1; 12-05-2011 at 08:54 PM.
#13
Maybe showing the angle of the screwdriver too?
It looks like a little angle to get to the clip on the shaft? But the **** itself looks like the screwdriver goes straight in???
Is the small phillips head a good tool to use?
BTW, my Lincoln has a woodgrain cover over the plastic face plate (getting scratched to hell, even w/ masking tape over it)....that wood veneer makes it hard to go straight in on the ****, but a slight angle like in your first 2 pic.
I also tried to upload a pic of my dash before, it would not download any of my pics here.
Last edited by bb1; 12-05-2011 at 09:15 PM.
#14
Video and photos of screwdriver angle are in photobucket album... The hole in the middle is straight in from outer hole, but not as big...
http://s1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee393/RaptoRx77/
Sorry So Shaky in vid... Don't know if this will help or not.. Good Luck...
http://s1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee393/RaptoRx77/
Sorry So Shaky in vid... Don't know if this will help or not.. Good Luck...
Last edited by RaptoRx7; 12-05-2011 at 09:14 PM.
#15