Headlight switch knob on 2001

The headlight switch knob fell off my dash the other day. It's been loose ever since I followed the directions in a manual to remove the switch knob (rather violently, I thought) so I could pull off the IP bezel to replace burned out lamps in the cluster. So I called a local dealer to price a knob: $15!! For a little piece of plastic! My stepson, who works as a service writer at a competing dealer, seems to think that's not an unreasonable price. Is it a good price or a ridiculous one? And does anyone know a reliable source for an aftermarket knob if $15 is the going rate for OEM?

Thanks one and all.

i'd agree for the dealer it sounds about right.remember the dealers are aloud to charge any where from cost to 100% mark up.dont think it will be available from an aftermarket but there is always the scrap yard

Go to your local parts house and take your old one with you. You may be able to match it up with one of the aftermarket ones.

Maybe they've changed the design, maybe not, but there should be a small piece of metal inside the plastic knob, 1\2 round with a flat side, tight fit to the knob, it's what actually holds the knob to the light switch stem.. sometimes it stays stuck to the light switch when removing the knob. Sometimes the plastic will break around the metal insert if removed harshly, rendering it useless, no tension on the light switch.. sometimes the plastic can be epoxied, I've done that, or a trip to the local wrecking yard to pick up a couple used knobs.

If you have the part number from the dealer you can get the part cheaper here (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?siteid=213787).

You can also get it cheaper by going to a bone yard to get the part.

Thank you, all. The bone yard's a good idea, if they have a 2001 Taurus on the lot (found that out when I put a '99 driver's door mirror on my '01 -- plain black as opposed to the colored cap on the passenger door mirror; thinking of going back for the shotgun mirror just to have a matched set). Will have to look.