Due to the ever vigilant attitude of yours truly I have very good news for early A body enthusiasts. Is your heater control switch dead? Do your wipers no longer wipe? Is the washer reservoir a distant memory? Well, I have found NEW parts that are either identical in appearance and function or identical in function and when installed visually undetectable from correct. How much is a new, not used or even NOS, heater control switch worth to you. If I was Frank or Brad it might cost you $$$. How's $44 sound? A wiper switch can cost you $100 but my wiper switch cost me nothing, for some odd reason I had one in my spares box(es). I don't ever recall acquiring this part but I have it. Probably from the 79 Cordoba I scrapped, or maybe a Dart but it is from a MoPar. Ah the elusive reservoir. Anyone ever find a good, clean one in a yard? I haven't, but then again I ain't been looking. How's $32 for a brand new reservoir sound? Believe it or not all these parts are available from a supplier local to YOU! I have nationwide ability to supply these items to YOU the early A body enthusiast. I don't even charge you for shipping. Here's how to do it. Go to your local Mopar dealer, ask for part number 3895790 if you want a new heater control switch. This part is functionally identical for the NS1 65 heater control switch. The only difference is how it's wired, it's a real easy mod that only involves plugging the 65's wires to the correct terminals on the new switch, simple huh? (see below). If you need a new wiper switch get thee to the dealer and ask for part number 3488764, this is for a three speed system that has the washer option as well. This one is also functionally identical to the original, even wires up the same but the original had seven terminals (only used 6 of them) and the replacement has only 6 (all used). However, the threaded mounting shaft sticks out farther than the original so you will need to place washers over the threaded mounting shaft to space the switch deeper into the dash, otherwise the threaded section will stick out of the mounting nut and is noticeable. I don't know what this part fits but it sure looks like the one on the Mighty Dart. This part is readily available for next to nothing in boneyards across the nation. For the reservoir you need part number 2497502, it was identical to the remains of my original 65 reservoir, right down to the part number cast into it. YO lists it as being for 67 and up foot operated (instead of electric pump) washer systems. YO is cheaper than even my discount at the dealer, but add in shipping and the delay and it was a wash for me, the dealer had it on the shelf. More as it occurs.
This drawing only shows the terminals
as the appear on the 3895790 switch, from the rear. BRN is the brown wire, BLK
is the black wire, GRY is the gray wire, N/A is not used, and GRN is the green
wire. If you use this switch in your car and wire it up like this it will work,
the vacuum circuits are identical and require no mods, but use some silicon grease on the nipples so they won't break off in 30 years when you pull the heater control switch.
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© 1998 Steve M. Knickerbocker