VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 Interior Light switch

So messing with the headlamp switch tonight I noticed that when the switch is all the way in and the lights are off, if you push the switch in maybe a sixteenth of an inch or less till it stops and hold it the dash gauges light up. Was this a feature? Or have I got an issue?

Check out your owner's manual. With the light switch all of the way in all of your lights are off, including the dash lights. With the switch pulled out to the first position for parking lights, your dash lights should also be on. The same is true for the second position for the headlights. If you turn the switch knob to the left your dash lights are bright. To the right the dahs lights should get dimmer and then to the point that they are off.

What is happening with your light switch is not normal.

You have an issue.

If the lights turn off correctly, as designed, when knob is pushed in, why attempt to push the knob in further, beyond its "stop limit" ?

The concern you see is not a feature. See the link below.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyowner/51om03.htm

As others have said, you have an issue with the switch probably due to age and dirt. You could pull it out and spray it out with electronic cleaner. I would replace it as it's an easy and inexpensive job. While you have it out, check to be sure all your connections are tight.

It was purely a an accident discovering a little extra pressure and the dash lights were triggered as I was making sure they were off completely in a dark garage.

I know all the "normal" positions, via years of use. Ok it was 40 years ago mind you.

And the switch is new.

So I guess I'll play in the dark and try to figure it out.

I am thinking that pushing the switch further than the normal stop makes contact between terminals that are normally active when the switch is pulled out. Doubt it is any problem if you don't push it in too far.

Curious I went out to the garage tonight to see if the key needs to be on
to work and it doesn't. Just push and hold the switch button in further than off.

Has anyone else tried it?

Yes, and the knob will not push in any further and the dash lights do not come on. Even though your switch is new you might want to try another switch to see if the problem persists.