Lighting problems... Need Help B4 I get another ticket

Greetings to all those reading. Anyone and Everyone's Suggestions are VERY much welcomed... Here's my problem.... on my '98 Sunfire Convertible...
My headlights do work... The Daytime running lights work fine, but at night, when I twist the lever to turn the headlights on, ONLY my orange sidemarkers come on and my headlights remain at about 1/2 brightness and the Daytime running lights indicator stays on. (In otherwords, no change in the beams...) But then when I ever so slightly pull the lever back to go to flash my headlights, the Daytime running lights indicator disappears and my headlights brighten to "normal, nighttime brightness, then if I pull lever back towards me even farther, the highbeams come on)... But the problem is... the lever won't stay on either nighttime or high beam modes at all. Once I let go of the lever it returns to Daytime runninglights, even with the lever twisted all the way to have the headlights on.... I still only get the Daytime Running lights (DRL)... Does anyone know what the problem is???? I got pulled over and a cop gave me 2 tickets, one for speeding and another for dim lights. (That's what made me worry about this problem). I just bought the car used from a dealership (a small dealership) and I don't have much faith in their expertise in this issue. So I am taking it to you the public. If I hold the lever just right, the lights brighten too far back and the Highbeams come on. I am so lost.... Any help would be great! [email protected] Thanks!

sounds like you need a new stalk, might be a good idea to visit a dealer on this one, unless you have a really good shop in the area or feel confident working in your steering column.

That happened in my car, it was the mulitfunction switch, they have to replace the whole lever on the left of the steering wheel, it cost me about $140

It's the little lever that you are pulling that needs to be replaced...had the same problem...exact same problem, it's not that your lights are any dimmer or anything like that, it's just that the switch isnt telling your lights to stay on... needs to be done by a mechanic (unless you are one :thumbsup: ) cost me $275CD w/labor to have mine done...no matter what ya do..it's going to cost you to get it fixed...and avoid those tickets...