I have a '92 RS.I went to turn off the headlights and the switch went right thru the dash.I popped off the plastic cover below the switch, got my finger behind it and got them turned off.Not knowing any better, I ordered a new light switch.Got the switch, tore apart the dash, only to find I need the 'headlight switch retainer nut'.
This part number is GM#10003445.It shows as discontinued on GM's website, but my local Chevy dealer could still order me one.$7.That's all.
BTW a quick tech tip.Contrary to other instructions, I was able to remove the switch without dropping the column, removing the wheel or removing the instrument cluster.I just popped the yellow SIR box away from the fuse panel bracket,swung it to one side and fished that S.O.B.down.Things were kind of tight but I got it done.
Before I installed the new switch,I went to make sure that the headlight stalk clicked into the switch like it's supposed to.IT DIDN'T.No matter how hard I tried.DAMN!Mind you, the old switch accepted the stalk and removed easily when I pushed the release button.
My first thought was to just install the old switch, but I thought F*** it; while everything is apart, I'll just get another switch.$20, no biggie.I made sure this switch would accept and release the headlight stalk properly.It did.A bunch of times.
Went to the Chevy dealer this morning and picked up the retaining nut.Hauled *** home to put everything together and now the new switch (the one I checked)WON'T accept the stalk.No click, no nothing!It just slides in and out.I went to force it in and it still wouldn't go.Everything is assembled properly.
What the hell gives?I really don't want to go thru the hassle of replacing the switch again, even though I have the original switch handy.What am I missing here?
Thanks in advance for your help, and sorry for the wordiness (is that a word?) of this post.

 

i had the same exact problem. what i did was turn the switch upside down and press the button down hard a nd then looked in side and seen that the catch mechanism was seen. once you do that put stuff back together and then put the stlk back in. if that doesnt work press the button while trying to put the stalk back in.

 

I tried to press the button back in just for the heck of it and it didn't work.This morning I was frustrated to the point that I was just going to 'Kung-Fu' that sucker in there, but I tried another approach.Instead of stabbing it in the switch,I kind of wiggled the stalk side to side, then up and down;kind of like you would use a Q-tip in your ear.After about 10 seconds of this and "click-click" it went into the switch like it was supposed to.Problem solved.Thanks for the comeback though.