No low beam, high beam only

[chilort]

I've had a problem for a while that I've let go and I think it just got a lot worse.

1) In the winter (colder weather) my headlights won't come on until the car (1986 Daytona Turbo Z C/S) has warmed up a bit. I live in Atlanta so no big deal. But I'm up in Northern Indiana visiting my wife's family for the holidays and it takes forever for the head lights to kick on. I think about a year ago I tried a different switch and it made no difference. The head lights don't work at all, high beam or low beam, until the car has warmed up some.

2) Tonight I was leaving a friend's house who lives about an hour away from my wife's family and as I pulled on the big four lane road in the dark my headlights went out all together. I pulled off the road and into a parking lot. I started messing with it and hit the high beams just to try it (even though this doesn't work for problem #1) and they kicked on (all 4 lights). I piddled with it a bit and realized I would just have to drive back with the high beams on a irk everyone I met coming or going.

So, do I have 1 problem or 2?

The last time I had something like the situation in #2 happen it was an '83 Ram and the high beam switch was shot. I'm guessing I can't run to a Dodge dealer and get one of these. To add to the misery, all of my manuals are in Atlanta, it is winter so there's about 20 seconds of daylight every day, and I bet this is a bear to get to compared to the high beam switch in the old Ram (2 screws, on connector, finished).

Help!

[turbovanman²]

Check the hi/low switch on the steering column, mine failed on my G van, same setup and they would come and go then finally failed.

[chilort]

That's what I was afraid of. But I don't have any of my manuals here or spare parts (read: junk yard that I know of). I'm only 650 miles from my house and all of my tools (and feeling rather helpless).

[turbovanman²]

That's what I was afraid of. But I don't have any of my manuals here or spare parts (read: junk yard that I know of). I'm only 650 miles from my house and all of my tools (and feeling rather helpless).

Trace the switch, then disconnect the wire connector and jump it,

[minigts]

I'm pretty sure the switch is common to our vehicles. For the 85 there is a switch far down on the steering column with a 3/4 pin connector controlling the headlights, in particular the hi/low beam settings. I'll post a diagram in just a bit, but I would start there. I believe it's green with a white base for the plug.

[chilort]

I've been all over Indiana again today but took my wife's car so that I would have lights. I might get to look at it tomorrow....depends on how bad my hangover is.

[thefitisgay]

spray paint the high beam bulbs so they look like low beams

fixed

[t3rse]

or point them low until you get back

[chilort]

I'm still not home. I'm at my father-in-laws. I got the switch on order but didn't look at how to get to it until I got home. Then I started looking and it looks like this is going to be terrible. Do I have to take off the steering wheel to get to the switch? Is so, I'll just wait until I get home.