Problems with headlights...please advise

Okay....I am a first time gm owner..purchased an about a Aurora (96) 130k miles on it...great shape...motor is strong, tranny very obedient month ago...the ride is nice, the power, something my Acura just did not have..and I must admit I am becoming a little discouraged....someone....anyone....restore my faith!

Here is the issue....headlights;

Sometimes the automatic headlights to not come on automatically....

I tried to just deal with this, by turning them on manually.....well now the manual switch does not respond all of the time. Sometimes when it becomes dark, I tried to keep turning the headlight switch on and off but it was no help.

I have even tried to cover the sensor on the dash, but it did not work. After playing around with the switch, sometimes I can get the lights to click on automatically....I am going to attempt the cleaning process with contact cleaner and compressed air and see if that restores it.

Any other suggestions, or things you think I should know to make this an enjoyable ownership?

Only headlights, right? First position on the switch work okay?

Actually.....here is what happened...at the last minute, I chickened out because it began to rain and I was a little nervous completing this task by myself on the touchy aurora......so I had a dealership do it. I typed out the instructions and gave it to them.

It appeared to work.....and then last night.....I hit the unlock button, and I jumped inside the car, and started it up, and the lights began to flash...... and this happened off and on during the night when I parked. However, it only did it while I was in park. When I shifted to drive, the lights worked perfectly!

What is happening?

As reported in older threads, owners solved the same flashing lights problem by having a new multi-function switch installed. That's the whole light switch/turn signal stalk. Ain't cheap either!

Actually.....here is what happened...at the last minute, I chickened out because it began to rain and I was a little nervous completing this task by myself on the touchy aurora......so I had a dealership do it. I typed out the instructions and gave it to them.

It appeared to work.....and then last night.....I hit the unlock button, and I jumped inside the car, and started it up, and the lights began to flash...... and this happened off and on during the night when I parked. However, it only did it while I was in park. When I shifted to drive, the lights worked perfectly!

What is happening?

I had to replace the entire blinker swithch assembly for 450

I had to replace the entire blinker swithch assembly for 450
Isn't that what I just said?