The wiper switch is on the left, the convertible top switch is on the right. I've already started taking the dash apart to get at the back of the switch.
This is a replacement switch. Notice how there are no warning stickers on it to let you in on how much this job is going to suck.
Here's the problem I'm trying to fix: the switch on the dash which raises/lowers the top is shot. It started randomly trying to lower the top while driving a few years back. If you know anything about physics and wind resistance, you know this isn't a good idea. At that time, my dad had a local garage disable the switch. Personally, I wouldn't trust the shit heads at this garage to disable a flashlight, but my dad trusts them for some reason. At this time, we still have no idea what they did to disable the switch - I'm hoping they just found a plug to disconnect it somewhere I'll be able to find it. Hell, I'm surprised they didn't just cut every wire they could reach under the dash, puncture the hydraulic lines, and weld the top's hinges in the open position. When they were tasked with disabling the switch, we didn't have a replacement handy or they would have been tasked with replacing the switch. I'm sure there would have been hammers and crowbars used for the job.
That brings me to today. I have the switch and I want to drop the top before winter hits. It's been a few years since it's been used, and that inactivity worries me a little. A little digging on the Classic Oldsmobile forum alerted me to the fact that I need to get a little more creative than I had first expected to get the switch replaced. To do the job, I have to remove the left hand gauge which gives just enough room for a 10 year old girl to reach inside. Well, last time I checked I'm not 10 and I'm pretty sure I'm not a girl. It's about this far into the project that I realize just how fucked I am. Big hands + tight spaces + no visibility. Not a good combination. Half an hour later and one mounting screw is out. To get the other one out I'll have to pull the plug on the switch. Somehow... I stuffed a mirror inside the dash and shined a light in there and am closer, but not there yet. Still gotta figure out how to pull the harness plug without damaging it.
Step one: start taking the dash apart. The left gauge needs to come out. The right-hand pod currently houses an after market oil pressure gauge. I may change this later if possible for a stock clock.
Step two: "You gotta use the whole hand, Doc?" Reach in and find the screws. It's at this point that you realize that the title of this post is accurate.
Step three: get four times the number of tools you think this is going to take out of your tool box. It still won't be enough as you try to find just the right tool to get at those damn screws. You will consider hammers and crowbars about half-way through the job.
More to come.
2 comments:
That oil gauge is sweet! I still think it was a good use for an otherwise unused patch of real estate. Especially when the engine burns oil and someone might forget to check. I left the idiot light functional for that reason too.
It works, but I don't like it in that spot. It'll be replaced with one under the dash, to match other gauges which will be installed (volts, water temp, etc.). I'd rather have a clock or blank panel there, but that's just me.
Post a Comment