1950s Headlight switch trouble

[Daffer]

Ive changed every bulb in My 1950 cadillac but the instrument lights and license plate light are the only ones that aren't working I feel it has something to do with the switch but I have no idea what the problem may be in there, so any help is appreciated. also what connection screw on the switch are the instrument lights connected to? thanks, Joshua

[Joe Jensen]

Attached is a drawing and a close up.  The license plate light comes off of #3.  The instrument lights terminal is labeled.

Hopefully that helps you.

Good luck!
Joe

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

The Instrument lights might work if you turn the knob all the way around to the right, which will also turn on the Interior Lights.

If this happens, then the Rheostat for adjusting the brightness of the dash lights is broken.

The Number Plate Light will be in alignment with the Tail Lights.

Bruce.

[V63]

Corrosion in headlight switch can often be at issue for instrument lights

[Fitzy]

Its funny you're having problems with your headlight switch also. My brothers 52 switch you turn it counter clockwise to get the gauge lights to turn them on. You have to do it oh so slowly to get them to make a connection. We also just found out that the headlights turn off while driving because the something static breaker is over heating. so its popping off and than once it cools it turns the headlights back on. We determined to just to replace it. 

Jason Fitzgerald

[Daffer]

So after reading all these great messages I was able to fix my license plate light! I found it was broken at a connection point. My only problem is I would like to take a look at my light switch and see the rheostat but there's to much in the way for me to reach my hand behind the dash even while laying on my back, what do I need to do to have enought clearance to remove the switch, Thanks

[Michael Petti]

The circuit breaker heating up and turning off the lights means you have a short someplace in the lighting system.