I need some help on the connection of the switches wire harness to the switch itself. I got a new light switch and can't seem to get the plastic connector to actually seat onto the switch all the way. Is there supposed to be a small gap between the connector and the switch itself?

 

Steve,

Did you get the switch from NAPA? The gap doesn't really matter as long as all the connectors are making contact and all light functions work.

Bruce

 

Bruce is correct the connector will only go on so far, as long as its seated all the way the gap doesn't matter.

 

Thank you Bruce and Eric for the reassurance. I have purchased and looked at new switches from O'Reilly's, NAPA, Advanced Auto and Autozone and none of them are correct for the Escutcheon retainer to screw into. The threaded part of my retainer that screws into the front of the light switch is right at 1/2" outside diameter. Every new switch appears to be 3/8" diameter. I noticed when I was disconnecting the switch from the connector that there was a gap and tried to mash it toggether without any success. I ended up lightly filing on the terminals and reinstalling the old switch. It still has a 1/4" gap between the switch and connector, but all lights are working great again and the connector seems to be very tight to to switch even though there is a gap.

I never did find a new light switch, but the old one is working great!
Thanks again for the help.

 

It's really strange that no one has the correct switch. I have a couple of them stashed away with my various parts. I guess you will be OK as long as your original keeps working. They are usually pretty reliable and the first thing to go bad is the rheostat for the dash lights.

 

Hey Bruce, I hope I get the pic attached in this reply. If I do, the size difference is visible and I put a tape under the threads of the Escutcheon retainer to show the size. Maybe I have an odd sized Escutcheon retainer. I know that none of the new swithes had the right size for the Escutcheon retainer to screw into. They were all to small for the retainer to screw into.

 

Steve,
I'm guessing that the one on the right is your old one. It looks weird and I can't see any threads in the picture. The correct size retainer has an outside thread dia. of 7/16". Putting a caliper inside the switch threaded area reads about 3/8". I wasn't able to determine the thread count but a 7/16"-20 bolt will not screw in - wrong thread. It shouldn't be too hard to find the correct retainer. It has three notches on the front for screwing it in. I don't happen to have any spares laying around.
Bruce