Headlight help for Olds 98?

[jasburns007]

Hello there. I am new on the site. I have one of the few Olds 98s in Scotland. I have a wee problem with it and would be grateful for any advice. The headlight dip (dimmer) switch is stuck on main beam and will not click off. As the stalk is pulled back it no longer clicks. If the problem lies up at the multifunction stalk is it a lot of work to correct it? Everything else on the stalk works fine. There are no Olds mechanics here and I'm not too confident in the local mechanics! I have the dealer chassis service manual but it assumes a lot of knowledge and access to special tools. Cheers for any help. Jas

[Oldsguy]

Jas, welcome to the site. Well in a nutshell I would say the switch on the multifunction stalk for the headlight dimmer is bad, especially if you can tell that physically it no longer clicks. And, yes you would need at least a steering wheel puller to remove it. Here in the USA we can rent them from the local auto parts stores but not sure about Scotland. That would be of course, after you have found a replacement switch. I couldn't tell you the specifics involved in removing and replacing the switch or, if it might be easier just to R&R the whole multifunction stalk, hard to say. You really need a good reference like Electrical Service Manual, you might try on the internet to find someone to purchase one from. I really hope you find a solution. Good luck.

[DonFrost]

Replace the switch. Do some Ebay work and locate a headlight switch. Hell I think even the regular parts stores have them online. The tools are not anything special. Just a Phillips screwdriver, Small flathead screwdriver (for lightly prying on the corners of the dash trim), and either a 7mm or an 8mm nut-driver (a wratchet and socket work just fine) Easier to do than you think (lots easier than fixing it) If you get it out and get the part number on it that may help in your search. Good luck

[DonFrost]

I am sorry about that last post. I am totally reading wrong. I was looking at it as if it were that twilight headlamp switch. Please disregard.

[jasburns007]

FIXED! Got that headlight problem sorted at last. Got a replacement dimmer switch from RockAuto-£20 to Scotland in 4 days, top banana! Removed the lower part of the dashboard, dropped the column, removed the column bracket and changed the switch, all done and dusted in an hour. No worries! Cheers lads!

[Oldsguy]

Excellent! Very good news, I am glad you were able to fix it.