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High Beam floor switch for 1991

R

RJB44

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Dec 3, 2005
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Hi -

I am interested in putting a foot switch for the hi/low beams for my 1991. The lever is really messed up, it won't click to high beams (small piece broke off from inside) everything else with the lever works, just the hi/lo. I am wondering if it would be easier to just add the foot switch then to replace the lever. I heard it's tricky to get this hooked up right.
 
You'll spend more time and money to do the floor switch than repairing your current problem.
 
I used to think they were cool, until I had one short out from wet shoes, which smoked up the cab while I was driving. Uncool.

Granted, it was 20 years old at the time, but still. :)
 
the floor switches are around $10 while the levers in the column are between $90 and $110. The levers work the turn signals, dimmer switch, and wipers so its kind of expensive.

When my dimmer switch went out I replaced it with a floor switch, my dad told me it would be more of a pain then its worth but it was pretty easy.

bought a floor dimmer switch and a plug from the parts store (I can get you a part number for the plug tomorrow if you need it), used self taping screws and put the switch where I wanted it. there is a three wire plug that plugs into the original dimmer. just cut the old plug off and crimp/solder the wires to the new plug and plug it in. took me all of 20 minutes and about $15.
 
Wrecking yard, half hour, done, $10. With everyone stealing these vehicles by breaking the column, no problem getting parts off them.
 
I'm intentionally putting in a floor switch.. far more simple, durable setup imo...
 
There is a bit of confusion for some people concerning what the stalk actually does in these years. It is true that it has cruise, turn signal, wipers, and dimmer, but they aren't part of the stalk.

The dimmer switch is activated by a rod that runs down the column to the actual dimmer switch, and they are relatively cheap. It is possible that the rod will break, causing disassembly of the column to repair, but most common is a failure in the switch itself.

The wipers are a different switch that the stalk actually presses into. Replacing these takes a bit more time than the turn signal switch.

The turn signal switch is nearly identical to the older style without all that stuff on the stalk. These can be replaced by removing the wheel and pulling the stalk out, then carefully pulling the wiring up through the column. Installation is the reverse of removal.

Cruise control is the only thing in the stalk, and it increases the cost of replacing the stalk pretty significantly.

Usually to repair a dimmer is a very simple procedure and doesn't even involve disassembly of the column.
 
I think the problem is that the column changed to accomodate all that stuff. Fishing the wire through the column to replace the stalk is a bit of a pain, but that's why you swap to the setup with the plug for the wiring at the top of the column, so turn signal swap next time takes a few seconds, and why GM ended up doing that later in the run.

From the OP's first post, I read that the pivoting piece in the column broke, which means he must replace THAT to make the high beams work, which DOES include everything that was changed on the newer columns.

Again, uncommon as all get out for that to fail, it is no less robust than the floor mounted setup, and should actually last longer as the dimmer setup is not exposed to water/dirt/sand/pressure from your feet.
 
I thought the Pivot in the column at the stalk had broke in mine as well. Considering the Safety Inspection in Texas requires Hi and Lo Beams and it was that time of year, I crawled under the dash to see what else it might be. I found the bolts that hold the dimmer switch which is mounted to the column under the dash had worked themselves loose overtime and the switch had slipped down where the rod would not actuate it anymore. Frustrating as tar to get to the bolts but after 15-20 minutes of cussing I had the switch repositioned and tightened down. Dimmer switch works like new. You can push the dimmer switch with your finger to see if it is working. While you have the switch depressed, push the Stalk on the column down to see if it has enough "stroke". (I know this sounds bad:o) This is a good way of checking it.
 
Well I did look at mine and the switch at the bottom of the column is broken. Not just bad, but broken. I cant completely remove it, but you can tell it doesnt move freely. I clamped it down and found the stalk and rod move fine, the switch doesnt. So for now I made a jumper and bypassed and have only low beams, but considering I rarely drive at night with this truck it isnt an issue yet.
 
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