How do you change a dimmer switch in a 1984 caprice classic?

Answer 1

i hope this helps at least one person out there with a 84 caprice( a car i love more everyday because it's badass in every way from engine to interior),cuz i searched the internet as you probably have and found nothing on it about a dimmer switch,i couldn't even find anything about a dimmer switch in my haynes full-size caprice repair manual! a old friend of my dad who is a ex-mechanic showed me how to do this step by step,so here it goes :)

step 1: remove the a/c vent plate that's directly underneath the steering column,(i just unscrewed mine and set it behind my brake pedal out of the way).

step 2: remove the (2) nuts that hold the steering column with a bracket in place,you will need a #15 socket for this (remove and gently lower the column slowly because there's a small cable connected to the column's shaft with a clip that moves the gear indicater needle when you put you car into gear..reverse,park,ect..)

step 3: remove the (4) nuts that hold that bracket on the steering column, you will need a metric socket for this,(# 13 i think)

step 4: the dimmer switch sits about 8 inches behind the a/c vent plate( if you turn your hi-beams on and off you'll see a metal bar activating the switch) it's held in place by (2) small metric screws.remove those and unplug the harness from the switch.

assembly is pretty much the reverse of removal except for one thing.after you put on the new dimmer switch,bracket,and bolt the column in place..put your car in gear(your car could be on or off,doesn't matter),apply the brake and put in "drive" then adjust the indicator needle wire(mentioned in step 2) by pulling it until it's on "D",then clipping it into place on the plastic shaft. you have limited room on this part ( but i have big hands and had no problem),and DO NOT LOSE GRIP ON THE CLIP or it might pull out of reach.put on the a/c vent and......

THAT'S IT!

it only cost me $10 for the switch,well worth it when your headlights don't work or are stuck on hi-beams,LOL

i couldn't believe how easy it was when i did it....especially after completley dismantling the top of the steering column because i assumed it was in there,LOL

Good luck and i hope you find this useful, i sure as hell did :)

Lucifer L.

i hope this helps at least one person out there with a 84 caprice( a car i love more everyday because it's badass in every way from engine to interior),cuz i searched the internet as you probably have and found nothing on it about a dimmer switch,i couldn't even find anything about a dimmer switch in my haynes full-size caprice repair manual! a old friend of my dad who is a ex-mechanic showed me how to do this step by step,so here it goes :)

step 1: remove the a/c vent plate that's directly underneath the steering column,(i just unscrewed mine and set it behind my brake pedal out of the way).

step 2: remove the (2) nuts that hold the steering column with a bracket in place,you will need a #15 socket for this (remove and gently lower the column slowly because there's a small cable connected to the column's shaft with a clip that moves the gear indicater needle when you put you car into gear..reverse,park,ect..)

step 3: remove the (4) nuts that hold that bracket on the steering column, you will need a metric socket for this,(# 13 i think)

step 4: the dimmer switch sits about 8 inches behind the a/c vent plate( if you turn your hi-beams on and off you'll see a metal bar activating the switch) it's held in place by (2) small metric screws.remove those and unplug the harness from the switch.

assembly is pretty much the reverse of removal except for one thing.after you put on the new dimmer switch,bracket,and bolt the column in place..put your car in gear(your car could be on or off,doesn't matter),apply the brake and put in "drive" then adjust the indicator needle wire(mentioned in step 2) by pulling it until it's on "D",then clipping it into place on the plastic shaft. you have limited room on this part ( but i have big hands and had no problem),and DO NOT LOSE GRIP ON THE CLIP or it might pull out of reach.put on the a/c vent and......

THAT'S IT!

it only cost me $10 for the switch,well worth it when your headlights don't work or are stuck on hi-beams,LOL

i couldn't believe how easy it was when i did it....especially after completley dismantling the top of the steering column because i assumed it was in there,LOL

Good luck and i hope you find this useful, i sure as hell did :)

Lucifer L.