I just bought this '96 3800 AT, and below the lighter there's a switch that says 2nd gear start, what is it? Also, I just bought a replacement dimmer switch for the headlights, how do I get to the old one?

 

I'm assuming 2nd gear start is skip shift, which was a option for your car. You use it when you can't get any traction like in the snow.

 

Actually when you turn this mode on (button lightens) from stop your tranny starts shifting from second gear. Try turning it on and you feel what I mean. It's supposed to be for slippery conditions or something, but I can't find it useful.

 

It's a snow thing, I see it on quite a few cars in Maine.

 

Ok, I got the 2nd gear start thing figured out, thanks. Now about the headlight dimmer switch...How in the name of GM do I get to it?

 

Now for the dimmer switch I think you will just have to start pulling stuff off.

 

the 94 / 96 interior is identical. to get to the dimmer switch, you have to remove : the lower kickpanel under the drivers side, the dashpanel (above the cluster -- large flat piece of plastic, be extra careful not to break the heater vent (its very easy to do), and the cluster housing itself. (cluster housing = the piece of plastic that is around the guages / over the steering wheel / in front of the whole dimmer/lights/everthing switch.)

good luck with it and just be careful. only took me like an hour or so to get mine off.

 

I thought the dimmer switch was inside the steering colum, I dim the lights with the turn signal lever.

 

uhhh...in the camaro? are you talking about the headlights or interior lights.

guess i was thinking interior (havent heard the headlight switch referred to as a "dimmer")