[QUOTE="geekdaddy, . If that doesn't go well I'll buy the panda switch and add 4 relays to it. Thanks again! Will report back later...[/QUOTE]
No, no, no Geekdaddy !!!!!!
I dont think that will work !!!! I'm 99% certain that would not be the right solution....
AFAIK, in around 1983 Fiat/Bertone did a major change in the X1/9 headlight switch. Changed from a rocker type switch to a sliding type switch. and the new type switch was also a different physical size (larger or smaller I forget which). This meant a change to the hole in the dash where the switch sat and snapped into. Thus the later sliding switch will NOT fit the hole in your '81 dash. In addition, the terminals on the back of the switch were in different positions, so your current wiring plug will NOT fit onto the later type switch. The Panda switch is the same physical size as the later '83 up X1/9 switch.
AFAIK, the '79-'82 switches were all the same size, and any of those would fit the hole in your dash. BUT..I think there is something different about the '79 only switch with the wiring or terminals on the switch. I think....the '80-'82 switches were all pretty much the same - with maybe some minor differences in the graphics on the face of the switch.
So Geekdaddy, I quite believe you would need a '80-'82 only headlight switch if you are looking for a new one. They are sometimes still available new from our vendors or Ebay. Sorry, I dont know the Fiat
OE part # you should be looking for. Maybe someone here can supply the part # - it would make your search so much easier !! If on Ebay, beware of Strada headlight switches - they look the same from the front but are different inside and dont have as many terminals ( I think your '81 switch has 6 terminals and the Strada switch only has 4 ? ). The Strada had fixed headlights and the X needed different internals for the headlights to raise and lower. Many Ebay vendors claim the same switch fits X1/9 and Strada - I think even a couple right now. Beware !!
But.....'80-'82 switches still CAN be found out there for reasonable $ - just keep looking. You should be able to find one for $30 or so. Probably worth it to ensure reliability in the future. Especially if you add relays to it and cut down the load on it.
Good luck. Doug