Fri, 9 Apr 1999 13:00:35 -0400, Bud_Rolofson@nps.gov (Bud Rolofson) wrote:
"Looks like the later TR6 switches with a dimmer function will "bolt in" to
the
early 6s that had a foot swtich for the dimmer function.
"In checking around for a used switch I was asked if I needed a four wire or a
five wire switch. Of course since I'm not replacing one I don't have one to
look at. Can anyone tell me why there is a 4 and a 5 wire switch, what they
do
and which one I should use to convert my foot switch?
Bud,
I'm just now catching up with the digests that piled up during my absence, so
if this has already been answered, please excuse me.
>From the TR250 through the '73 TR6, the steering column switch has five
wires. From '74 on, they have only four. The switches are 100% interchangable
from a mechanical standpoint; HOWEVER (and there's always a "however," isn't
there), the switching functions are not compatible. In the early cars, the
column switch turned the headlights on and off and also performed the
highbeam flashing function, with the dimmer function being performed by the
foot switch. The later column switches have only the flasher and the dimmer
functions, with a seperate on-off switch mounted on the dash (a rocker
switch, similar to the wiper and washer switches you have now). If you want
to use the later column switch, you will need to add a new on-off switch.
I've done this on my '71 with the V8, using a GM light switch on the under
dash key plinth.
"The Moss catalog lists three switches: LIGHT SWITCH ASSEMBLY - for 69s-72s
LIGHTS, FLASHER, & DIMMER SWITCH - for 73
H/Lamp FLASHER, & DIMMER SWITCH - for 74s-76s
"Questions:
"Which of these is a 4 wire and which is a 5 wire? (anyone have their steering
column apart)
The first two are 5-wire, the last is 4 wire. I don't know of any differences
between the '69 -'72 and the '73.
"What does H/Lamp mean? (I asked Moss and they couldn't come up with an answer
that distinguished it from the second choice) headlamp, high beam, halogen
lamp,??????
"H/Lamp FLASHER" is the "flash to pass" function - when you pull up on the
switch, the high beams flash, and the switch is spring loaded to fall back to
the normal position when you turn loose. In the second choice, "LIGHTS"
means "on-off"
"Which one should I try to find to convert to a column dimmer switch?"
As stated above, if you do, you will have to add a seperate on-off switch,
but the last switch listed ('74 -'75) will be the one you want. This is not
hard to do -- the most difficult thing will be mounting the new on-off
switch. If you still want to make the swap, let me know, and I'll help with
the diagrams.
Dan Masters,
Alcoa, TN
'71 TR6---------3000mile/year driver, fully restored
'71 TR6---------undergoing full restoration and Ford 5.0 V8 insertion - see:
http://members.aol.com/danmas/
'74 MGBGT---3000mile/year driver, original condition - slated for a V8 soon
'68 MGBGT---organ donor for the '74
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