Steering column jacket and headlight switch

[oldroaddog]

So I thought one of my headlights on my '75 280Z had the high beam out but it turned out to be the turn signal/hi-low switch. After removing the steering column jacket and then the switch assembly it's apparent that the hi-low switch is toast. MSA wants $225 for one of these assemblies and I'm thinking that's a bit much. What the switch does is very simple but the OEM design is really wimpy. I run by the auto-parts store and pick-up a two-position three-pole 20 amp switch. This particular unit lights up blue when in one position. Perfect for high-low beam! I clip the wired connector off the fried switch and crimp on terminals. Now to mount the new switch in a convienent position on the jacket. I picked a position about 3 1/2" from the turn indicator lever. While I'm drilling the hole for the switch I notice how fragile the jacket is. I've often marveled at the Datsun engineering of this car but this part is really thin. With the switch mounted and tested I begin to put the jacket top and bottom togeather and I've got to be very carefull. This thing is like an egg shell! Well, I got it screwed together and the switch works nicely but I'm not looking forward to ever opening that back up again!

[EScanlon]

Are you sure you aren't pricing the Right Half of the Combination switch, when all you need is the Left Half?

Enrique

[oldroaddog]

MSA part #45-4072, Turn Signal Switch 74-75, $224.25. That's the lever that also switches hi-low beam.

[EScanlon]

That's the part all right, and boy have prices gone UP! From the price I thought it was the Headlight / Wiper stalk. Boy oh boy. Thanks for the update. And yeah, for that kind of money I'd be looking at alternatives also.

Enrique

[oldroaddog]

Agreed. I usually try to keep the car as stock as possible but this was one instance where I just couldn't justify that much cost. That $225 will buy all new emblems (except hood)!

[Nacks]

You could always fit a floor-mounted dip-switch, they're unobtrusive and work perfectly. Pretty much any old Ford or Chev one would do. They've all got three terminals on them, one for the feed from the headlight switch and one each for high and low beams. Thought this might help someone in the future.

[TomoHawk]

That switch in on eBay sometiumes. You'd get a deal on one of those.

[2003z]

That switch in on eBay sometiumes. You'd get a deal on one of those.

yeah, get a used one. I got a broken one from zcar atlanta for $25, because it was broken, but I also just needed the hi/lo portion of the switch, so it worked for me. Unbroken, they wanted $45.