So, my son now drives it, and he finally took it for inspection yesterday. Failed, because they couldn't get the hi beams on, apparently an issue w/the switch in the ts stalk? (I wasn't with him). Is there a thread about replacing it here? Mostly concerned about removing the air bag & steering wheel. I have a puller set somewhere, but probably buried in a box, somewhere. May take it to the shop to see what they'd charge. Thoughts?

It'* not that hard to replace. That column is a relative of steering columns that GM had built all the way back into the late `60s.

Regarding the airbag:

1. Disconnect the battery
2. Don't lose that spacer between the stacked positive leads
3. Clip or strap the positive and negative leads for the battery together, including both of the positive leads
4. Disconnect the big yellow connector(*) under the dash next to the steering column
5. Get started with the conventional stuff

Reverse the process to reassemble etc.

Maybe an easier way: If the high-beams don't get used much, maybe the switch is just gummed up inside. With everything turned off, flip it high-beam (completely, not barely), low beam, high-beam (completely, not barely), low beam, high-beam (completely, not barely), low beam, high-beam (completely, not barely), low beam, high-beam (completely, not barely), low beam, like 20 times, then turn the ignition on and see if it is fixed. I've had better than 50/50 luck with that model of switch doing this.

Boilerplate: Professional driver on a closed course, do not attempt, void where prohibited, no purchase necessary, past results are not indicative of future performance, yada, yada, etc.

I should've added that when making a left turn, it doesn't cancel, so while it'* open, I might as well replace the round plastic assembly that controls that. And the cruise used to work, but I'd suspect it'* not because of the turn lever. I haven't had a chance to try the switch, it was cold & rainy all day yesterday. I assume the actual switch for the hi beams is in the column, if I need to delve further. But, I'll give your method a try first!

Yeah, you don't have to replace the switch to repair the turn-signal cancel on that, so it'* worth a try.

I just fixed the turn-signal cancel on my 1997 LeSabre about a year ago. I guess it had enough at 254,000 miles. It was a pretty easy repair, like those columns usually are.

There is a 2000-2005 LeSabre in my world these days, not mine, that has a high-beam switch that'* a little flaky. That unit is over $300.00, so I'll likely be finding a way to repair the one that'* in it already before I shell out that kind of dough. Glad my `97 (and your `9 doesn't have that one!

Yikes, $300. Do you think spraying it with any electrical cleaner / lube might help?

It might. First, I'm going to try the "exercise trick" on it first . . . when I can get my hands on it for long enough. Either way, I think I'm going to convert it to run the low beams at the same time as the high beams so that they never switch off as a result of switch shenanigans. Right now it'* one or the other, but never both.

Well, I finally had a chance to check the car. It pulls back as it should, but won't go forward at all. Makes me think it'* one of those "have to take it all apart to figure out what'* broken" jobs...

Ummmm . . . these only pull back. They don't have a "forward" like a lot of modern cars do to flash the high-beams.

. . . or are you saying this one pulls back but then won't return to the original position when released?

Hmm, I'll have to investigate further, seemed like it pulled back & released ok.

Here'* the shop manual.
https://charm.li/Pontiac/1998/