Topic: no bright headlight sometimes

[rustyboltz]

I have a 1988 base model pu with 22r 4 speed manual tranny.  I drive to work about 30 miles 6 days a week in the dark and when I go frim dim to brights on the headlights the headlights will go off until I shift back to dim.  This will happen for quite a bit until it all of a sudden starts to work.  I have reasearched the archives and found where people have cleaned the headlight switch in the steering column.  Is that my problem?
I would like to say that I appreciate everybodys postings because it sure helps me to keep my truck fixed up.

[ninja turtle]

sounds like you found a good place to start. give that a shot then report back.

[toyotacrawller]

i would say thats where the problem is.

[austintaco]

I have a 1988 base model pu with 22r 4 speed manual tranny.  I drive to work about 30 miles 6 days a week in the dark and when I go frim dim to brights on the headlights the headlights will go off until I shift back to dim.  This will happen for quite a bit until it all of a sudden starts to work.  I have reasearched the archives and found where people have cleaned the headlight switch in the steering column.  Is that my problem?

I would like to say that I appreciate everybodys postings because it sure helps me to keep my truck fixed up.

Yes, its in the column switch. 4crawler has a repair listed on his site, but I couldn't find it with a quick search. I had the same problem, bought a new headlight column thing and the problem is fixed. I looked at my old one, and saw how the contact points was worn down and could be fixed, but the newer one was in much better shape.

[-Jake-]

my 87 had the same problem.  just take apart the column and clean up the contacts in there.  be careful there is a little tiny ball inside the lever housing that when you pull the roll pin there is a spring in there so be ready.  don't lose the ball cause it will suck major without it.

[Plekto]

you'll need about 1/10th of a sheet of 400-600 grit sandpaper to slide back and forth to clean the crud between the contacts.  My high beams went from nothing to working after I fixed that lousy switch.

[emsvitil]

Put dielectic grease on the contacts once clean.........

[rustyboltz [OP]]

Thanks- Once the snow leaves and the warmer weather arrives I will rebuild the part.  Thanks for the input.