70 Cuda Column Ignition Lamp

[dirkpitt007]

Probably a dumb question but how do you change the light for the ignition (key) courtesy lamp on the column for a 1970 Cuda?  I see the wire going into the column but can't find anywhere to change the bulb?  Does the column need to be disassembled?  The '70 service manual does not address this from what I can tell.

[Chryco Psycho]

I believe most have a steel cover that slides off , it may have a screw holding inside the column though

[dirkpitt007]

Well, turns out you have to remove the steering wheel, crush can and turn signal mechanism to get to the ignition light.  Really not that hard but not a bulb you want to replace regularly.

After doing all that I found the bulb worked fine.  Someone had rattle-canned the steering column and painted right over the tip of the light pipe.  Once I cleaned the black paint off the end it was just as dim and useless as people told me it would be.  At least I feel better though.

[HP_Cuda]

Post a pic up of the light you are talking about.

I don't think I missed that one but hey I still have the steering column out of the car so it's not too late.

Thx,
B

[Topcat]

I believe most have a steel cover that slides off , it may have a screw holding inside the column though

It does.

I just took my column apart yesterday.

Cover slides off but can be sticky to pull out.

If you have a spark plug remover tool that has a plastic coating;  is a good tool to use to pull/twisting back & forth it without hurting the light housing.

[dirkpitt007]

Attached is a picture of the assembly.  The bulb slides into a housing that has a light pipe that wraps around the inside of the column approximately 1/4 of the circumference and then has a small extension that bends out adjacent to the hazard flasher.  It attaches to the inside of the column at the top (behind the turn signal) with two phillips screws and then wraps around to the right (tube is silver in color, painted plastic light pipe).

If you didn't know that it was supposed to be a light you wouldn't pay any attention to it.  The '71 actually has a cutout in the column for a more useful illumination bulb cover (with the blue covering).  Probably not the greatest piece of engineering from a functional perspective but innovative for 1970.

Found a link to an e-bay ad...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mopar-1970-Steering-Column-Key-Light-70-Cuda-Charger-Dodge-Plymouth-E-Body-/261146714058

Post a pic up of the light you are talking about.

I don't think I missed that one but hey I still have the steering column out of the car so it's not too late.

Thx,
B

[Topcat]

Attached is a picture of the assembly.  The bulb slides into a housing that has a light pipe that wraps around the inside of the column approximately 1/4 of the circumference and then has a small extension that bends out adjacent to the hazard flasher.  It attaches to the inside of the column at the top (behind the turn signal) with two phillips screws and then wraps around to the right (tube is silver in color, painted plastic light pipe).

If you didn't know that it was supposed to be a light you wouldn't pay any attention to it.  The '71 actually has a cutout in the column for a more useful illumination bulb cover (with the blue covering).  Probably not the greatest piece of engineering from a functional perspective but innovative for 1970.

Found a link to an e-bay ad...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mopar-1970-Steering-Column-Key-Light-70-Cuda-Charger-Dodge-Plymouth-E-Body-/261146714058

The only light I found in mine looks like this. My car had the light package option.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mopar-1971-76-A-B-E-Body-Steering-Column-Key-Light-Cuda-Charger-RoadRunner-Dart-/260903778822?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cbf13ba06&vxp=mtr#ht_650wt_679

[dirkpitt007]

That looks like the '71 light?  I am not sure when Plymouth did the cut-over so maybe you have a late model '70 and they used the new design for the steering column?  Maybe you have a '71 column?  Do you have the '71 key lock mechanism for removing your key?  I am relatively new to the e-body cars so I am only sharing what I have learned from others as I've tried to learn about my new toys.

[Topcat]

That looks like the '71 light?  I am not sure when Plymouth did the cut-over so maybe you have a late model '70 and they used the new design for the steering column?  Maybe you have a '71 column?  Do you have the '71 key lock mechanism for removing your key?  I am relatively new to the e-body cars so I am only sharing what I have learned from others as I've tried to learn about my new toys.

 My colum originally is an early 71'.

There were so many changes in parts between 70-71'
I've never seen that version used in an e body column. Anything is possible

For example: The font and letter size on the hazard pull switch changed from 70-71.