Cadillac Repair: 89 Caddy DeVille - high beam / low beam switch, shift linkage, nut and bolt

Question
The only way I can get my headlights to work is to keep holding the turn signal arm back towards the driver. It will no longer click to low/high beam. If I let go of the lever, the headlights shut. I cannot figure how to remove the mechanism at the base of the lever but if I could I was thinking of straight-wiring the wires and by-passing the mechanism. I could then open/close the headlights by using the headlight pull switch and/or daylight running wheel switch. Please advise how to remove this switch mechanism from the steering column.

Answer
Hi George, There isn't any reason to disassemble the column because the switch is operated by a rod comming down from the turn signal lever and is mounted on the outside. It might be a matter of adjusting the switch because over time this is what happens. The actual switch that changes from low to high is mounted under the dash on the lefthand side of the steering column. To access it you might need to lower the steering column after unhooking the shift linkage and then useing a couple of small wrenches loosen the nut and bolt and the switch can be moved. It might be a matter of 1/8" to move and sometimes requires several tries to get it right. Replacing the switch is pretty easy with the column down so the steering wheel is on the front seat and not that expensive. Hope that makes sense. Bill