My 57 Plymouth light switch outer ring (a rheostat?) doesn't seem to work. Perhaps it failed being so old. Anyway, all the instrument lights work on the aux side but not in the int side of the switch. How about if I make up a pigtail for the 3 instrument connections and hook those and the tail light connector all into the tail light terminal on the headlight switch? Of course, I'll incorporate a fuse, say 15 amp, into the new pigtail. Will this work and not overload the other wiring? Thanks for your comments. Furryfan

Wouldn't it be simpler to find a used switch. Check with John ( big M here). Seems like it would be a lot simpler to just replace and should not be that expensive.

I agre with Jim, You should be able to get another switch, They still are NOS switches out there also, I bought a NOS for mine quite a few years ago. If I can remember I think I paid about 75 bucks for it. One thing I don't like to mess with anything that might cause an electrical problem and start burning wires, I hate nothing more then a wiring problem especially under the dash. Could loose from a few hours rewiring up to replacing our car.

I also would not recommend this repair, it may overload the circuit. A fuse would prevent an overloaded circuit fire, but repairing it correctly is the best method.

---John

I thought of this and agree, but I'm not sure where to find a NOS switch, and if I use an old one the same problem may reoccur. What I haven't confirmed is if the outer ring, call it a rheostat, fails, would that be the reason that the instrument panel lights won't work? The instrument lamps and wiring are all good as they come on when plugged into the accessory connector on the h.l. switch. Over to you for more comments. Thanks, Furryfan.

Yes it would be a good chance , That is what dims and brightens your dash lights. I have a NOS switch but I am going to keep it, My Dash lights stay on btoight right now with it turned all the way off . So I am going to keep that for a back up for the future if I need it. I like my dash lights all the way up anyways.