Repair And Fix it

The headlight switch assembly on the dash of your 2008 Dodge Dakota does more then just turn the lights on and off; do not put off replacing a faulty switch. The switch controls the interior lights, the dash lights, parking or running lights and the headlights. A faulty switch will often cause other functions to fail; if the switch fails altogether, youll find yourself with no headlights at all and unable to drive your truck. Look for replacement switches at any auto parts retailer or your local Dodge dealer.

Instructions

1

Locate the retaining screws on the instrument panel of your Dakota, remove them with a Phillips screwdriver and set them aside. Pop the bezel off the instrument panel using a flat-blade screwdriver. Set the bezel aside for safekeeping.

2

Locate the three retaining bolts on the face of the headlight switch assembly---two on the outboard edge and one on the inboard side---then remove them using a socket and ratchet. Set the bolts aside for reuse during installation.

3

Slide the headlight switch assembly forward until you can reach the electrical connector on the rear of the assembly. Press the locking tab in on the connector, and separate the connector from the rear of the headlight switch. Pull the headlight switch out of the dash, and discard it.

4

Slide the new headlight switch assembly into the dash far enough to allow the electrical connector to reach it. Push the connector onto the back of the switch, ensuring that the locking tab engages completely.

5

Push the switch in place, and install the three retaining bolts. Tighten the bolts with a socket and ratchet until they are just snug enough to hold the switch securely but wont crack its plastic casing.

6

Position the instrument panel bezel in place, snapping it into the retaining clips. Install the retaining screws and tighten them with a Phillips screwdriver only until they are just snug enough not hold the bezel in place without damaging it.

7

Turn on the headlight switch, and cycle the headlights through the high- and low-beam positions several times to ensure a successful repair.

Inoperative headlights are often ticketed on sight by law enforcement agencies. Even worse, accidents can occur when headlights fail at an inopportune moment during nighttime driving. If your headlight switch feels loose or wobbly when activated, it is time to change the switch to a new unit that is dependable and unlikely to fail.

Instructions

1

Ascertain the headlight switch is broken or in poor condition by repeatedly testing its operation. With the key in the cars ignition and switched on, rapidly activate the switch. The headlights should immediately turn on with no delay or hesitation. The switch should have a solid feel to it, and you should be able to tell when the switch is on or off just by feel as the switch snaps or pops into the correct position.

2

Look for tell-tale signs that the switch is worn out; common symptoms of a worn switch include any slight hesitation before the lights turn on, less than 100 percent success control of the headlights when rapidly turning the switch on/off repeatedly, inability for you to tell if the lights should be on by simply looking at the physical position of the light switch, flickering of the headlights when the switch is move to and from any position.

3

Replace the switch if you notice symptoms of a worn or failing switch. Purchase a complete headlight switch kit that is compatible with your vehicle. Most automotive stores have compatibility charts that identify headlight switch kits that will work for your year make and model vehicle.

4

Disconnect the negative battery cable (black lead) that connects the car battery to the wiring harness. This can be accomplished by loosening the nut and bolt that holds it in place with a crescent wrench (see "Warnings").

5

Remove the knob and light switch simultaneously. There is often a release button that will allow you to do this. If you dont feel a release button (located under the dash board on the side of the switch) unscrew the bezel (round cover securing the switch to the dashboard). Do not try to force anything, just ascertain how the switch is held in place and remove it from the dashboard with the wiring in the rear of the switch still intact.

6

Open the replacement switch packaging and check to see if your new switch kit contains a bezel removal tool if you are having difficulty removing the old switch. Many aftermarket kits include this small tool with no mention made of this on the exterior of the switch packaging.

7

Remove the locking bezel, then gently pull the switch so that here is slack in the electrical wiring connected to the rear of the switch. In most vehicles, this means holding the old switch in an odd position beneath the dashboard. Note the position of the colored wires leading into the switch.

8

Remove the color coded wires from the old switch one wire at a time and insert them into the new switch. Most switch kits allow the old wires to simply plug in to the new switches. Take care to get them all color coded as they were on the old switch assembly. Gently insert the new headlight switch into its proper place within the dash console. As always, avoid performing this step with undue force. Doing so could lead to breaking the headlight switch or causing other damage to the vehicle.

9

Reconnect the battery negative terminal and tighten with a crescent wrench. Test the new switch in the same manner as you tested the old switch. You will see and feel a remarkable difference in the new switch performance. Replace any ornamental mounting trim as required.

The 1986 Ford F150 shipped from the factory with two four-wheel drive hub options; automatic locking hubs and manual locking hubs. With manual locking hubs, you need to get out of the vehicle and manually lock the front hubs before the truck will engage the four-wheel drive. With automatic locking hubs, all you need to do is engage the four-wheel drive with a lever and they will automatically lock within a few revolutions of the front wheels. While automatic locking hubs are a nice feature, some owners actually prefer the manual locking hubs because they are less prone to malfunctioning due to their simpler design.

Instructions

1

Stop the truck shift it into park, or first gear for trucks equipped with a manual transmission. Apply the parking brake.

2

Exit the truck and rotate the locking switch at the center of the wheel hubs to the lock position. If your truck doesnt have these switches, then you have automatic locking hubs and can skip this step.

3

Shift the transmission into neutral. Move the four wheel drive selector lever to the left, then down into your desired four wheel drive range. Use 4-LOW for low speeds below 15 miles per hour and increased torque. Use 4-HI for driving at road and highway speeds.

4

Shift the transmission back into drive, or first gear for trucks with a manual transmission. Release the parking brake, then drive forward 20 to 25 feet to engage the four-wheel drive hubs.

The 1995 Jeep Wrangler design makes replacing the ignition switch easy. Unlike many other vehicle models, there is no need to remove any panels or parts to access the switch. By simply adjusting the ignition to the correct spot, youll have the old switch out and replaced in about an hour. Theres no need to call a professional. This is definitely a do-it-yourself job.

Instructions

Uninstall the Old Switch

1

Detach the ground battery cable from the battery post. Use a wrench to turn the battery post clockwise. This is a black cable that is next to a minus sign on the battery post near the ignition.

2

Insert a key to the the ignition and turn it to "Off-Lock".

3

Remove the ignition switch. Unscrew the bolts on both sides of the ignition that hold it in place with a ratchet and socket.

4

Use your hand to pull the ignition switch from the actuator rod. The actuator rod is what holds the ignition switch to the base of the steering wheel.

5

Release and remove the switch completely from the steering wheel base. Unplug the black and white wires from the ignition switch. These wires run from the steering wheel base to the ignition switch.

Install the New Ignition Switch

6

Adjust the slider on the side of the new switch to "ACC."

7

Plug the black and white wires running from the steering wheel base into the new switch. Place them in the locations on the new switch that match with the places you removed them from on the old switch.

8

Slide the new switch on to the actuator rod in the steering wheel base.

9

Replace the mounting bolts on both sides of the new switch. Use the old bolts unless you have been supplied with new bolts with the new switch. Tighten the bolts in place with an adjustable wrench.

10

Insert a key into the ignition and turn it to the "ACC" mark on the steering wheel base.

11

Reconnect the battery post to the ground battery cable. Use a wrench to tighten the connection by turning it clockwise.

The power window assembly in a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox is controlled by a switch thats mounted in a switch panel in the center of the dash board, just behind the shifter. This switch panel contains four switches; one for each window. The switches connect to wires that run to grounds, relays, and fuses within the vehicle. Because of the complex wiring system needed to control the window, its not possible to bridge any of the terminals or manipulate the wiring to raise or lower the window without using the switch. Unfortunately, if the switch fails, the switch panel needs to be replaced in order to raise or lower the window.

Instructions

Removal

1

Grip the bottom of the center column trim bezel. Pull up gently on the bottom of the bezel to detach it from the center column.

2

Work around the column trim bezel, gently pulling up at the edges until the entire bezel is detached from the vehicle.

3

Disconnect any electrical connectors from the back of the trim bezel, including the window switchs electrical connector.

4

Remove the screws holding the switch assembly to the bezel with a screwdriver, then remove the switch assembly.

Installation

5

Set the new window switch panel into position on the bezel. Reinstall and tighten the screws to 22 inch-pounds with a torque wrench.

6

Reconnect the window switch panels electrical connector. Reconnect any other electrical connectors from the car to the bezel.

7

Set the bezel into position and press down around its circumference in order to seat all of the retaining clips. Test the window switches to ensure that they work properly.