Help-- my 348 headlight switch is dying

My head light switch is worn out also. The rod pulls out of the light switch itself.

It's good though, if I pull the rod out slightly and the lights pop up and turn on.

Click it back in and they turn off again. Not sure if that's how Ferrari designed it, but it works for me.

Not that I drive my car at night, but it gets me out of trouble if I have to turn the lights on.

I was fortunate enough to buy another complete head light switch off Ebay here in Aus for around $400 a few years ago.

This one feels good and seems to work fine when I play with it. I haven't fit it to the car yet yet, it's in the spare room. It's one of those jobs I will get to one day.

When I swap them out, I was going to repair my old one to keep as a spare or to sell. If I can find the fix for them, then I could do an exchange style repair for them.

But until I swap them out, that ain't gunna happen. But I think I know how to fix it once it's apart, so I am confident I can get it done when I get around to it.

Sorry I can't be of anymore help, I just wanted to tell you that I am in the same boat.

 

There's a used one on ebay but wow, it's pricey!

Ferrari 348 348TS TS Steering Column Indicator Headlight Control Switch J071 | eBay

And you may have seen this thread (Mondial t switch can be used for the 348):

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355-sponsored-bradan/180667-headlight-switch-part-help.html

 

A brand new one would be nice to have.

 

I've repaired them before. Disassemble. Tiny springs, etc. Take a pic. Superglue, baling wire. Arrgh.

 

If you do take it apart, get a large plastic bag. Tackle the dis assembly with the part inside the bag so when the springs, tabs, and other shrapnel decide to depart at light speed they are somewhat contained.

Good luck.

 

Interesting,

That mondial T one looks like my 1991 348 stalk assembly.

The linked in 1994 348 one on EBay doesn't have the 'knurled' end pieces that mine has.

 

I had to replace Mine last year to pass the UK MOT test (the head lamp flash had stopped working on both the day light flash and the main beam flash, and the indicator switch had completely disintegrated).

For peace of mind I decided not to risk a second hand switch and had a brand new one fitted - The cost of the part alone was £995! ($1500 US or $2069 AUS).

Even the Ferrari specialist who did the work for Me was shocked at the price!

 

I'm not sure which one from the Mondial t was made to fit (either?) but new pricing shows:
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Eurospares have them in stock: Ferrari 348 TS (1993) - Steering Column: Page 036 | Order Online Eurospares

(Now priced at £900 [@$1358 US or $1868 AUS] ), although they do state: "Part No. 154563 UNHOOK DEVIATION - Valid till car Ass. Nr. 9226 Not for car Ass. Nr. 8944, 8945,8946"

(I'm not sure why those three cars cannot have the switch fitted - Others on here may have a better idea).

I did get the old column switches back, thinking/hoping that I could repair them and sell the assembly to recoup some money, but there were so many parts broken inside the indicator and headlight sections that it wasn't feasible to carry out a repair in the end.

As far as I'm aware, it's the same assembly for both RHD and LHD cars.

Even though I'd asked for a new replacement assembly to be fitted, the specialist did ask around to see if anyone had any 2nd hand ones in stock in case they could help save Me some money but there were none available anywhere.

(TBH, My concern was that I could spend @ £400 on a second hand assembly, only to have it go faulty within a short period of time, just as My original one had done. At least with a brand new assembly it "should" last @ another 25 years or so! )



The thing that makes Me laugh the most is when people complain of Ferrari's of this era "having switchgear raided from the FIAT parts bins!"

Really? - I dare these people to show Me the FIAT that uses the exact same switches as the Ferrari 348!

 

The part number on the bill for Mine is the 348 number: Part No. 154563, so definitely not the Mondial assembly

 

The mondi assembly has a plug that's slightly different, but an easy "switch" to make it right IIRC.

 

Wow!

If you look here: Ferrari Mondial 3.4 t Coupe - Steering Column: Page 037 | Order Online Eurospares

Part No. 149296 that you've shown as $1252.38, is showing as being "New in stock" at Eurospares for £290 ($437 US). - Someone in the States is making a profit there!

The other three part numbers are listed as "New - Subject to availability" which usually means they don't have them in stock, but they do have Part No. 148643 in stock as 2nd hand for @ £100 ($150 US).

 

The ones on Eurospares' website say "not for USA".

But is seems that left and right both have the same configuration.
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Definitely the same configuration.

 

$2000 for a new one, I figured as much.

Lucky I don't need one.

I understand what you are saying in regards to fitting a used one. It may last 5 mins or 5 years. You just never know.

I am happy to spend $400 on a used one, but wouldn't spend anywhere near $1000 on one as I would just give more money and buy a new one.

I will get around to swapping mine one day and hopefully I can fix the old one.

 

How about the guy in Sonoma who rebuilds them with metal replacement pieces... Says they will never break again.

I lost his number. $650

 

There you go, sounds like the man we need to fix these. $650 is a good price if they will 100% never break again!

 

Yep, I would be happy to pay that if it won't break again as I have no intention of ever selling my car.

And not that I use might lights either, I don't drive it at night. But I like things to work properly in my cars.

 

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355-sponsored-bradan/501725-348-problems-fixes-2.html

Starting on post #33 great DIY.

I'm searching for phone number...