I am looking for a new column switch for a 1971 dino My left side lever with the twisting knob does not work at all. What should the longer left side lever do in each direction? What should the twisting knob at the end of this longer knob do? The shorter left side lever is my signal switch correct? Should that go back to original poisition after I have made a turn ? I found one here at : http://www.dinomarket.de/EN/ferrari-246-gt-gts/electrics/switches/steering-column-switch-new.html is this the correct one? I understand sometimes stores will give you a 308 switch which does not fit.
Welcome! There ARE no more 308 switches.....the GOOD news is a chatter here can REBUILD yours and service it with new plastic, new contacts, the whole deal, and you'll be flashing "high beams" in no time!!! Verell, at Unobtainium Supply........maybe he'll be along shortly.... Alan
A few years ago Classic parts in the UK had some for sensible money www.ferrariparts.co.uk - might be worth an ask
Enzosteve: I had the exact same problem with my 1973 246 last year. I ordered the above (very expensive) new switch assembly from DinoParts, but my technician was unable to make it work (I ended up returning it.) He said that many of the wires from the new part did not correspond to what existed on the car' wiring harness. In the end, we used the internal switch part (also supplied by Dinoparts), but it required a lot of modification. The good news is that my switch now functions perfectly. Here is what we ended up using: http://www.dinoparts.de/EN/ferrari-246-gt-gts/electrics/switches/light-switch-with-contacts-3243.html This comes with no instructions whatsoever, and, as mentioned, requires considerable "fiddling" and modification to make it work. I tried to do it myself before turning it over to a pro. To answer your question, at least on my Dino, the knob at the end of the stalk should turn the lights on when twisted counter-clockwise (as viewed from the end of the stalk). Moving this stalk up and down operates as follows: Up: parking lights. Middle: high beams. Down: low beams. The shorter lever on the left is for the turn signals. It should self-cancel after the turn is completed. This thread should be moved to the Dino section. Dan
Years ago I sent mine to Lyle Tanner in Sacramento, who had "a guy" who he sent it out to for total rework. This cost $1K, but it has been perfect since. New ones I believe will run between $1000 and 1200. or so, when you can find them. I assume your car as a 1971 is a later-than L-series; the wiring and knobs on the latter is different than on later cars. Tanner is now out of business or retired, but Juan Villareal of Grand Prix Motors in Campbell, CA (408-892-5384), used to work for him, and probably has the name of the person who reworked my column switch assembly. Good Luck; hope this helps.
Check your headlight fuses & relays before deciding that your switch is bad. Seldom do both the headlight twist knob and the stalk position contacts fail at the same time. Possibly just one of the under dash connectors isn't properly seated. If you do need your switch restored, you can get service pricing, ordering, & contact information from my catalog, see: http://www.unobtainiumsupply.com/Catalog.php I'll be happy to send you a switch removal procedure. I've been restoring column switches for 308s, 328s, Dinos, Mondials, 330s, Daytonas, etc. since I broke my wiper stalk back in '03. If you do an advanced search in current and Old FerrariChat in the body of posts for: Verell Column Switch or Verell Headlight Switch You'll see many threads showing my work. One of the more interesting threads is: http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21548 I'm currently restoring 4 switches: 2 328 switches, a Daytona, & a 246 Dino switch. I also have 1 new switch like the one in the Dinomarket link. My price in US$ is less than their price in Euros!
Thank you for all the feedback. Based on the response regarding how the left lever should function My Twist knob just spins ( does nothing) If the lever is pushed down to position 1 : low beams If the lever is pushed down to position 2: high beams This does not seem to be how this stalk should function If I were to buy a new switch from dinoparts or refurbish my switch, wouldnt there be complications due to the wiring change? What is the best way to approach this problem? I would like to get it working properly again
Assuming that normal operation for your switch should be: Twist knob = lights on/off Stalk selects which lights will be turned on by the twist knob: UP: park lights Mid: Low beam Down: High beam If you can completely rotate the twist knob, then somethings broken inside it. I'd guess that when the twist knob was broken, someone modified the wiring so that it behaves like the twist knob is always on. Also, since you didn't mention the park lights coming on, I'm speculating that they disconnected the contact for the park lights from the stalk UP position. This could have been done either in the wires between the switch & the connectors, or else under the dash. You're going to have to figure out exactly where & what wiring mods were made & reverse them to get back to normal operation with a restored or new switch. You really need a wiring diagrem, or an OM with a wiring diagram inside it that matches your car to figure this out.
When Verell says "lights on/off", I believe he means "parking lights on/off". Small point, but hope this makes it more clear
Two weeks ago while Patrick Ottis (that's correct - 2 "t"s) was doing a PPI for me of another Dino that I am considering purchasing, he warned me about leaving the lighting control stalk in the down position. He said that it should be left in the "UP" position when exiting the car, and to also make sure that it is "UP" when entering. He said that over the years he had seen too many Dinos with busted stalks because knees had hit them or pants legs/cuffs had caught them, and that keeping the stalks in the UP position when exiting or entering usually keeps them clear enough to help prevent damage. Mark
RE: KEEP THE STALKS UP! I'll second that warning. It also applies to the 308s & 328s. A significant % of the switches sent to me for restoration have been damaged just as dinogts describes.
