Hazard Switch Question

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RedWolf

Hazard Switch Question

Post by RedWolf »

Hello,

I'm in the process of replacing the darker wood components on my '77 to the kind that was on my old '80 model. The last piece is the surround for the hazards, interior light, and cigarette lighter. I'd like to replace the large rectangular hazard w/a later model style round type but think that there's some issues w/doing this.

Has anyone does this or found an easy replacement round style flasher that would be a direct swap out? Thanks for any info and ideas.
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bradartigue
Posts: 2183
Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2007 2:35 pm
Your car is a: 1970 Sport Spider
Location: Atlanta, GA

Re: Hazard Switch Question

Post by bradartigue »

RedWolf wrote:Hello,

I'm in the process of replacing the darker wood components on my '77 to the kind that was on my old '80 model. The last piece is the surround for the hazards, interior light, and cigarette lighter. I'd like to replace the large rectangular hazard w/a later model style round type but think that there's some issues w/doing this.

Has anyone does this or found an easy replacement round style flasher that would be a direct swap out? Thanks for any info and ideas.
Lessons to live by:

Never mess with the electrical system
Never mess with the electrical system
Never mess with the electrical system

Unless you are trying to undo something someone did before you and return it to stock. You're going to be cutting into the thing that controls your blinkers and hazards, and also has a nasty effect on brake lights. All that being said I can assure you you'll also screw up your interior lights in the process. Even though they aren't on the same circuit. They're built nice that way.
majicwrench

Re: Hazard Switch Question

Post by majicwrench »

Ok Brad I love you. We have likely disagreed on some things in the past, but Man, the stock stuff WORKS. All you gotta do it turn it back the way the factory had it when it rolled off the line.
Keith
RedWolf

Re: Hazard Switch Question

Post by RedWolf »

So it isn't easy to put the '80 style round Spider hazard switch into a '77 Spider w/the rectangular style?
majicwrench

Re: Hazard Switch Question

Post by majicwrench »

Why would you wish to do that?
mPedro08
Posts: 198
Joined: Mon May 17, 2010 4:54 pm
Your car is a: 1976 124CS1 Spider

Re: Hazard Switch Question

Post by mPedro08 »

Maybe not easy but I can attest to the fact you can update the hazard switch without negative impacts.

My son and I used a Kia Spectra Hazard Warning and Dash Dimmer, set into the place where the electric window switches would go....this in a '76. We did a custom one piece wood dash which left the warning lights in the middle but added an oil temp gauge made out of an old water temp gauge which was taken apart and re-faced with a sticker I had printed....looks totally stock!! We did a custom upper console face with interior light, cig lighter and aux socket instead of the hazard switch.

Normally though I'd say leave it stock....my son is the electrical whiz...I would NEVER have attempeted what he did since it consisted of dismantling the Kia switches to 'adjust' the way they worked.

Oh....and I have two NOS rectangular hazard switches for sale I ended up not using if anyone needs one....

mP.
RedWolf

Re: Hazard Switch Question

Post by RedWolf »

majicwrench wrote:Why would you wish to do that?
Like the looks of the circular style hazard and the new wood has the cut out for that style - I've already swapped out the rest of the wood dash & it's the last piece.

With that said - I found an old thread here that noted some problems w/the 79-83 circular style hazard. Looks like the older style was more bullet proof. Will most likely go w/trimming the wood to fit the existing rectangular switch as opposed to swapping.
User avatar
bradartigue
Posts: 2183
Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2007 2:35 pm
Your car is a: 1970 Sport Spider
Location: Atlanta, GA

Re: Hazard Switch Question

Post by bradartigue »

mPedro08 wrote:Maybe not easy but I can attest to the fact you can update the hazard switch without negative impacts.

My son and I used a Kia Spectra Hazard Warning and Dash Dimmer, set into the place where the electric window switches would go....this in a '76. We did a custom one piece wood dash which left the warning lights in the middle but added an oil temp gauge made out of an old water temp gauge which was taken apart and re-faced with a sticker I had printed....looks totally stock!! We did a custom upper console face with interior light, cig lighter and aux socket instead of the hazard switch.

Normally though I'd say leave it stock....my son is the electrical whiz...I would NEVER have attempeted what he did since it consisted of dismantling the Kia switches to 'adjust' the way they worked.

Oh....and I have two NOS rectangular hazard switches for sale I ended up not using if anyone needs one....

mP.
And in doing all of this made the car virtually unmarketable and nonconforming to anything published anywhere on earth. I think you have to consider the total impact, just because it can be done doesn't always mean it should be done.
fiat218
Posts: 5745
Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 5:06 pm
Your car is a: 1969 124 AS spider

Re: Hazard Switch Question

Post by fiat218 »

bradartigue wrote:
mPedro08 wrote:Maybe not easy but I can attest to the fact you can update the hazard switch without negative impacts.

My son and I used a Kia Spectra Hazard Warning and Dash Dimmer, set into the place where the electric window switches would go....this in a '76. We did a custom one piece wood dash which left the warning lights in the middle but added an oil temp gauge made out of an old water temp gauge which was taken apart and re-faced with a sticker I had printed....looks totally stock!! We did a custom upper console face with interior light, cig lighter and aux socket instead of the hazard switch.

Normally though I'd say leave it stock....my son is the electrical whiz...I would NEVER have attempeted what he did since it consisted of dismantling the Kia switches to 'adjust' the way they worked.

Oh....and I have two NOS rectangular hazard switches for sale I ended up not using if anyone needs one....

mP.
And in doing all of this made the car virtually unmarketable and nonconforming to anything published anywhere on earth. I think you have to consider the total impact, just because it can be done doesn't always mean it should be done.
Jim
East Grand Forks MN
1970 Fiat Spider BS1 ( FOR SALE
1969 124 AS Spider
2017 Abrath
2018 Alfa Romeo 4c Spider
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