# 1997 Pontiac Sunfire headlights

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-pontiac-sunfire-headlights/5534>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [October 6, 2007, 12:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-pontiac-sunfire-headlights/5534 "2007-10-06T00:00:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![manutdfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/58956e/32.png) [@manutdfan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/manutdfan)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2007, 12:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-pontiac-sunfire-headlights/5534/1 "2007-10-06T00:00:33Z")

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The driving lights on the car work as well as the highbeams. My problem is the headlights only work when they feel like it. I was told that there is a switch in the steering column that tends to go bad im GM products that is the culprit. Does anyone know if this is true or not.

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**Author:** ![mr\_josh](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mr_josh/32/3008_2.png) [@mr\_josh](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mr_josh)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2007, 12:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-pontiac-sunfire-headlights/5534/2 "2007-10-06T00:24:24Z")

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The high-low dimmer in the column is prone to failure, but it’s more than just GM cars. Anyway, I would bet that is the culprit.

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2007, 12:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-pontiac-sunfire-headlights/5534/3 "2007-10-06T00:24:31Z")

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I can’t tell you how many of these multi-function/combo switches I’ve replaced on GM vehicles for this problem. So yes it’s true.

Tester

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**Author:** ![MG-McAnick](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mg-mcanick/32/188_2.png) [@MG-McAnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MG-McAnick)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2007, 2:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-pontiac-sunfire-headlights/5534/4 "2007-10-06T02:43:17Z")

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I think I gave $55 for the last new one I bought at Autozone. You don’t have to go to the dealer for that one. It’s a pretty simple installation. You can do it yourself if you are not completely mechanically declined. The plastic cover has to be removed from the steering column. After that, it’s a pretty simple plug-in operation. Borrow a shop manual from your local library if you have any doubts.