2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Headlights on the blink

[Josparkz]

So my sweetie and I took a little ride in my ol' 96 over to the next town, about 45 miles. We started heading back a while after sundown and I'm running my hi-beams. After a few miles and a few herds of deer my hi-beams and the blue indicator light on the dash are flashing on and off rapidly. I put the lo-beams on and they seemed to stay on. Got back home and pulled into the Post office so I could shine the lights on the wall and see what they were doing. When the hi-beams dumped and I switched to lo they were off for a second or so also. So, I'm thinking it's acting like a thermal opening and shutting, and that it seems there is one in the headlight switch that I've changed once or twice over the years, for whatever reason it malfunctioned. I don't remember this happening before though. What I did remember is I put a Britebox in years ago and I'm wondering if this a sign of that malfunctioning.
Anyhow, the shop manual is in the back of the truck buried in the disaster under the campershell (in a nice waterproof steel munitions box) and I'll go get it tomorrow. In the meantime, I thought I'd post my own issue while going thru the posts on here.
Thanks in advance.

 

[seafish]

Your headlight switch is failing…it is unfortunately a common problem as excess heat is always generated by the resistor coil on the switch that dims the dash lights…the heat eventually leads to switch failure. Luckily, a relatively cheap and EASY fix by installing a new one, but DO also inspect the harness that plugs into the switch for signs of overheating/melting. If the wires are damaged, IIRC you can also get a new harness for it as well. Long term solution is to NOT dim the dash lights, though I have also heard of people who have drilled a hole in the dash vent directly over the headlight switch to help it stay cool.

 

[Josparkz]

Thank you. I'm thinking I even have one in the spare parts box, since the dimmer for the dash lights has been acting flakey for a bunch of years.