2002 Grand Prix SE Headlight Switch Question

[mrspindlelegs]

I was driving my friends 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix SE the other night and I noticed that there was no illumination of the headlight switch itself when the headlights were turned on. The result is you cannot see the switch inside the car at night. Is this normal? I pulled the switch and it is a sealed unit so if there is a bulb inside it, you can only replace it by replacing the switch unless you hack it open and can engineer your own fix. Your experiences?

 

[mrspindlelegs]

64 views and nobody knows the answer to a simple question like this? Note: The same switch is used in the 1997 - 2003 model year Grand Prix.

 

[gtpeddie]

grab a switch from a junkyard and try replacing it

 

[mrspindlelegs]

grab a switch from a junkyard and try replacing it

That is definitely one way to try and solve the problem. There are two "you-pull-it" type of junkyards near me if I decide to try this route. If there is a bulb inside, buying a new switch to fix the problem is not the smart way to go; the cheapest switch from Rock Auto sells for ~ $130.

Meanwhile, let's see if somebody can definitively answer the question first.

 

[mrspindlelegs]

I found the answer while doing brute force searching for a different problem:

http://www.grandprixforums.net/last-time-i-ask-about-lights-55921.html

The answer definitely is:

Sift the junkyards for another switch or try hacking the switch because it does illuminate when turned on.