Recently my headlights stopped working. I was looking at the switch under the dash and somewhere in the process the lights started working again. Could be loose wiring, I'm not 100% sure. Now the lights are not working again; however, the brights/high beams do work. This leads me to believe the problem is in or around the switch. I am going to replace the switch and go from there. My problem though is this: I cannot figure out how to get the **** (that turns the headlights on/off) off.

Does anyone know how to get that **** off without breaking it? The shaft is triangular, which leads me to believe that it does not unscrew.

 

Also, is the relay in the switch?

 

There is a release button on the headlight switch body that you need to hold down and pull the ****/stem to remove it. As far as the relay, I am not positive but it should be on the fuse block directly below/behind the steering column.

 

Parts replacement is an expensive way to troubleshoot problems. I would suggest you locate the problem first. The problem could also be in the dimmer switch. You will need to use a multi meter to check voltages to find the problem. The headlamp switch has a circuit breaker in it that is feed thru a fusible link from the battery and not a fuse. Fuse #8 and #14 are involved with this switch. Are any other lights involved or only the headlights?

 

I found the release spring on the underside of the switch. I was thinking about replacing the switch since it's only a $12 part and it's a fairly simple remove and replace. The connections seem to be good (on the switch). I have also checked all of the fuses (while I was looking for a relay), and the only relays in the fuse box are for the horn and the blinkers. No other lights or dimmers are effected, and since the headlights are working intermittently I'm leaning away from it being a fuse or relay issue. So, by process of elimination I'm at the switch. Although that does not explain why I am able to get the lights to work by rustling the wires underneath the dash. That makes me think it is a wiring issue. I will probably replace the switch and do a more thorough inspection of the wires and see what happens.

Thanks for the input from all.