What is this switch for?

[SKR8PN]

1968 Barracuda, 340 Formula S, automatic on the column. This switch was mounted on the lower portion of the column near the firewall mount. There was a small rummer piece on the shift tube that actuates this switch. I have never seen one until I pulled the column to add power steering. What does it do???

 

[mopardude62]

I believe it’s a switch for the backup lights.

 

[RedFish]

oddly enough, there is a current thread about that switch. Up until mid 1968, for automatic transmission builds, the switch for reverse lamps was inside the car. Either on the steering column like yours or on the automatic floor shifter.
The reverse lamp switch later moved to the transmission. The 2 wires went through a couple of previously unused ports of the bulkhead connector (the 1 with wiper wires in it).

 

[Dana67Dart]

There is a guy on eBay making a replacement pin that attaches to the shift column, I no nothing of him or his product just letting you know, as the pin is usually the first thing to go.

Nos pins show up from time to time, but typically are 80-100 to buy
Section 19-34 page (580 in the myMopar.com parts book)

The photo is not helpfull, sorry

 

[RedFish]

There is a guy on eBay making a replacement pin that attaches to the shift column, I no nothing of him or his product just letting you know, as the pin is usually the first thing to go.

First to fail is correct. Plastic parts are the engineers design points of failure. We dont want the shifter locked up by a switch. We have enough lever to throw switch parts in the floor.
We find plastics in some climate controllers too for the same reason. We might wad up a blend door cable if the plastic didn't fail.

 

[SKR8PN]

Thanks guys!!

 

[RedFish]

Thanks guys!!

If you read between the lines you might check check that switch closely while you're there. I don't know if it ever had any lube in it.
If you should have a later model trans and can utilize its 3 wire dual function switch, another owner will want you column mounted switch.
Happy moparing

 

[Dana67Dart]

If you read between the lines you might check check that switch closely while you're there. I don't know if it ever had any lube in it.

They had lube which is usually clay by now.

But they are easy to clean with mild chemicals, dry then re-lube with a switch specific lube (NOT DIELECTRIC GREASE).

I have an all plastic design but for some of the same reasons you mentioned I'm hesitant to sell any. ( Raised in so Cal and everyone will sue you just for looking sideways)

 

[SKR8PN]

If you read between the lines you might check check that switch closely while you're there. I don't know if it ever had any lube in it.
If you should have a later model trans and can utilize its 3 wire dual function switch, another owner will want you column mounted switch.
Happy moparing

I already tested the switch and lubed it with a dry lube. It functions as it should. I made a new "trigger" to activate it. 6mm bolt and a quick pass with a tap in the column sleeve works great.

 

[Mattax]

Plastic on plastic is usually smooth action, and yea I don't see how it could jam up the switch gear selector when it breaks. Lots of us have had them break, and they were a disposable item when the column got removed.

 

[Dana67Dart]

Plastic on plastic is usually smooth action, and yea I don't see how it could jam up the switch gear selector when it breaks

I'm more worried about parts of the pin getting into the steering shaft or the gear selector and preventing turning or shifting

 

[Dana67Dart]

and they were a disposable item when the column got removed.

An engineer who never worked on a car in his life designed that part! if a mechanic made it, the shift shaft would have had a thick washer welded to the hole and tapped. OR like they did in 69 just make it part of the transmission switch!

 

[SKR8PN]

I'm more worried about parts of the pin getting into the steering shaft or the gear selector and preventing turning or shifting

I threaded a nut part of the way down the bolt with just enough of the bolt to extend thru the new threads that I tapped. then mixed up some super strong epoxy and applied it under the nut and around the bolt to help secure the bolt.

 

[Dana67Dart]

I threaded a nut part of the way down the bolt with just enough of the bolt to extend thru the new threads that I tapped. then mixed up some super strong epoxy and applied it under the nut and around the bolt to help secure the bolt.

I was referring to plastic replacements