Thumb Wheel Instrument Panel Dimmer Switch

[1970FuryConv]

I have the dash out of my 1970 Fury Conv. Main reason is to replace dash pad and repaint shell. But interior lighting also was a problem. If you’re having problems with your instrument panel flood lighting going dim or spontaneously even cutting off and you’re constantly trying to find the sweet spot with a thumb wheel such that you can see your gages at night, I had the same problem. The switch has 3 spades. I performed a resistance test with the 2 leads of my Fluke 78 attached to the bottom spade, which is power, and the middle spade which is output to the instrument panel flood lighting. Before I sent it off to rebuild, I had gotten resistances varying between 2 mega ohms and 4 mega ohms. After Devin’s work on the switch, I got .2 ohms at dome light position, .3 ohms at top of thumb wheel travel, and 25 ohms at the lowest point of thumb wheel travel. I also like the fact that he put my initials on the varying pieces of my switch to make sure that I got my switch back. Further he is working on a 1963 Polara wagon, which demonstrates that he’s into odd stuff. I spoke to him on the phone and found him to be knowledgeable and forthright. So, if you are having the problem I mentioned, I highly recommend pulling the instrument panel dimmer switch and sending it to this man. Cost was $100.36 including shipping. Thanks to M0esy, detmatt, and 1970cat for recommending him in previous threads.

67 68 69 70 71 Dodge Polara Monaco Plymouth Fury Dimmer Switch Rebuild Service | eBay

(He also rebuilds Chrysler switches, which I guess are a different model)

 

[69CoronetRT]

Pretty sure that's who I got my re manufactured switch from. The name and location seem right.

Appears to be a quality job and the switch works fine.

 

[Big_John]

I had him do mine too and I was very happy with the quality and turn around. Can't beat his guarantee either.

 

[Jeff]

He rebuilt my power window switches and did a great job.

 

[Turboomni]

I guess this is a pretty complex job to rebuilt these. I thought it was a big pot like a volume control that some tuner cleaner would fix it. What is involved here that it costs that much to rebuild?

 

[1970FuryConv]

He rebuilt my power window switches and did a great job.

Good information, thanks!

 

[1970FuryConv]

I guess this is a pretty complex job to rebuilt these. I thought it was a big pot like a volume control that some tuner cleaner would fix it. What is involved here that it costs that much to rebuild?

I believe it is a matter of disassembly. lubrication, contact cleaning, proper alignment, and reassembly. If you hit yours with electrical contact cleaner and resistance drops from mega ohms to a few ohms, I'd certainly be interested to know that.

I paid the $100 to make sure the job was done right and would last. Instrument panel lighting was such a problem that I had to bypass the dimmer. I set up power off the battery buss bar of the fuse box to a toggle switch and then ran a wire to the connector for the 3 instrument panel flood light sockets. I just wanted to make sure I got rid of the problem once and for all. That toggle switch is headed for the spare electrical parts drawer.

 

[Big_John]

I guess this is a pretty complex job to rebuilt these. I thought it was a big pot like a volume control that some tuner cleaner would fix it. What is involved here that it costs that much to rebuild?

From what I see, I think he replaces a lot of the parts. Tuner cleaner works when there is some oxidation and dirt, but it doesn't help worn contacts.

 

[akiran]

Precious hint.

 

[Pete Kaczmarski]

Before you go to this level...as always start simple....try spraying electrical contact cleaner inside the switch. You would be surprised what is built up in there for decades.

 

[Trace 300 Hurst]

Van's (probably other vendors too) sells a nice repro unit for $145. Or they did, because I bought one, but I don't see it on their website at this moment.

 

[1970cat]

1968-1970 All Makes All Models Parts | MB16951 | 1968-70 Mopar B-Body Dash Dimmer Switch | OER

 

[Trace 300 Hurst]

1968-1970 All Makes All Models Parts | MB16951 | 1968-70 Mopar B-Body Dash Dimmer Switch | OER

Yep, that's the one.