Turn signal/headlight switch

**Richard2** · #1 (**permalink**) 06-15-2007, 12:31 PM

I'm replacing the turn signal/headlight switch. I guess the steering wheel must come off. How does the big black covering the steering wheel nut come off?

Andrew · #2 (**permalink**) 06-15-2007, 01:47 PM

The rubber plug? Just pull/twist it. If you mean the plastic hub cover, pry the edges up slowly with small screwdrivers.

Andrew

**Richard2** · #3 (**permalink**) 06-15-2007, 08:27 PM

After looking at the switch I bought it looks like I can replace it without taking the steering wheel off, correct?
I think this switch is from a GTV or Spider. It has the 2 arms on one side and the light switch turns for lights on and goes down for high beams. Same operation as my '73 Berlina.

**Richard2** · #4 (**permalink**) 06-15-2007, 08:43 PM

The head light switch looks like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Alfa-...QQcmdZViewItem

Will this fit my Berlina?

han · #5 (**permalink**) 06-16-2007, 04:09 AM

look out with what you are baying because there are differt typs off head light switches.

you need too compere it too the one you have.

.

**Richard2** · #6 (**permalink**) 06-16-2007, 07:22 AM

Han,
I know it looks a little different, but I've never seen a switch that looks exactly like mine. It looks like it functions the same as mine and the wires are the same color as those in my wiring diagram, so I hope it will fit. Mine doesn't work at all.

Andrew · #7 (**permalink**) 06-16-2007, 02:43 PM

There are two cosmetic styles of two-arm switches (one with flatter plastic handles, later ones with more square handles), but the wires are all the same in terms of hookup, even though the colors might be different, and some of the later ones have a multi-pin plug instead of individual spade fittings.

Yes you can change it with the steering wheel in place. You have to disconnect the return spring though and pull it around the steering column.

Andrew

**Richard2** · #8 (**permalink**) 06-16-2007, 06:01 PM

I changed it out today. All the wires were the same color so it went easy, thanks to Papajam's wiring diagram. I took the steering wheel off, and took the horn arm off to clean it and the contact surfaces as the horn didn't work all the time.

I also ran wires to connect a power antenna and a cable to put the battery in the trunk. The wiring for the fuel pump is also strung underneath the car, so I now have extra wiring to connect it with wiring running through the passenger compartment.

Since I finally got the head leak sealed, this project is startin gto be fun again.

super1750 · #9 (**permalink**) 06-18-2007, 07:29 AM

Hi Richard,
whatever you do, don't throw the old switch away. If the plastic parts aren't broken they are usually fairly easy to fix. If you drill out the two (or maybe four) brass hollow rivets holding it all together you usually just have to do some contact cleaning and maybe a little bending and the whole thing works again. Be careful when you take it apart though, there are ball bearings that are under spring pressure that tend to shoot off into some corner of the shop where they won't be found for the next ten years. To put it all back together just replace the rivets with nuts and bolts. I've done two like that before and as far as I know they are still working.
regards
Bob

BTW: the one in the ebay link has already been opened before - ther are allen screws where the rivets should be.

**Richard2** · #10 (**permalink**) 06-18-2007, 07:11 PM

I don't through anything away that came off an Alfa, well very little. It looked to me like it could be taken apart and fixed.