FJ40 Headlight Switch Era Mis-match (maybe)

[BlueTrain]

Folks,

I have a dilemma. My 1970 FJ40 has been suffering some headlight problems. Every other electrical system is working just fine, except the headlights, taillights and dash light. Brake lights are good, interior courtesy lamp is good, as are the wipers, turn signals, etc. etc. So, no worries, just replace out the light switch. Easy day.

I ordered a switch for a 68-71 FJ40 and received the item pictured below.



Very shiny. The only problem is the switch that was already on there looks like this...



...which, except for the round, white dial on the back (a dimmer, perchance) looks pretty much like the line drawing in the catalogue labeled for years '68-9/73. A search of some other suppliers have photos of the top switch.

So here are my questions.

1. Does anyone know where to find a replacement headlight switch matching the one that came on my FJ40? Moreover, does anyone know how I should distinguish between these two switches to ensure I get the right one?

2. Barring that, could anyone help me in perhaps mating the wires from my original to the new switch I've got?

3. What's that white disc actually do? Close inspection reveals that it runs a metal spring inside it along a metal contact when it is turned on its axis, but I am not electrically enough to figure out what that action does.

Thanks
Matt

 

[BlueTrain]

Follow-up:

After the sort of technical thinking that occurs while drinking a beer, it dawned on me that the female end of the old connector might attach to the male ends on the side of my new switch. It does and, not without a little error to go with my trial, the new switch is mounted and working.

Therefore, it seems like after a little liquid inspiration I stumbled upon the answer to question 2 above. I am still curious as to the other two queries even if they aren't as pressing now as the biggest issue is solved.

Matt

 

[JohnVee]

Question #1B answer - send the vendor a pic of what you have so he can send you the match.


...via IH8MUD app

 

[handcannon]

Question #3--is most likely the rheostat (dimmer) for the dash lights. What you describe is typical for older dimmer switches. As the metal contact moves along the spring the amount of power to the lights varies.

Don