'85 K5 tilt column headlight dimmer switch
 

Hello. I replaced the ignition lock cylinder in my K5 and in the process a piece that slides with the dimmer switch fell off. We put it back to where it looks like it belongs but now I'm unable to dim the lights. All 4 headlights are on and there isn't any feeling of the dimmer switch engaging when the multilever is pulled back for trying to dim them. It just goes backward or forward and stays where you release it. Does anyone have any ideas on how that part should be assembled or even better, have some pictures of it. I've used Chilton's and Hayne's manuals and neither of them have any information. I even contacted my local Chevy dealer but all they gave me was the same steering column exploded view that the manuals have in it with no information. This is the last thing holding me back from putting this project on the road. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

ha. i know exactly that plastic piece you are talking about. last time i did my ignition cylinder the same thing happened it just fell out. i did figure out how it goes back in but it took a while. but needless to say you do need that in there. i remember it fitting in a way that doesnt really look like it would fit in if that helps at all.

but for the time being you can probably lay under the dash and pull or push the little rod that goes to the bright switch to turn the brights off.

i looked around online too for a tear down and couldnt find one. maybe someone has one

While searching online I saw a thread about the rod for the dimmer switch but haven't been back to the truck to try and locate it. Does that rod connect to that little sliding piece of plastic? I'm glad that I'm not the only person on earth that is having this issue. Lol. Thanks for the reply.

there will be two rods on the driver side of the car. one goes to the ignition switch which is what powers on and starts your car, the second one will go to the bright switch. i believe that one has like 2-3 wires going to it

this is the best picture i can find

ihttp://img212.imageshack.us/img212/7...ringcolumn.jpgits that white thing you see on the left side of the column. that rod goes right into the middle of it and thats your switch, not quite sure if you can get at it with the column bolted up but looks like you can