Slight Electrical Problem

Ok i have a '90 K1500. Runs AWESOME but recently it started actin dumb. i seen a lil smoking rising from my steering column one night while i had my left blinker on. well since the next day my left brake light has been dead. it won't come on while my right blinker is on, and when the blinkers are off it will only come on if you have the blinker switch pressed down a little. it's a little loose but it has been like that for as long as i can remember and can't see how that could be it. But i heard you could take the plastic plate off around the tilt lever. well i took it off and don't know what to look for. i can put the plate back on but i can't turn my brights on and off anymore. Please help. kinda wishing idda kept my hands off it. Any help greatly appreciated.