While driving on a rural road at night, the headlights on my pickup truck went out. Because of ground fog, I was unable to use high beams and resorted to fog lights until I reached my destination. This problem then occurred periodically when I drove at nite. The headlights would shut off. Eventually I was able to determine that when I raised and lowered the tilt wheel, the headlights would shut off and turn on. At certain points in the tilt wheel range of motion, the headlights would shutoff and stay off until I raised or lowered the steering wheel slightly. I was not traveling at a high rate of speed the first time this problem appeared but I had just exited the interstate. I also was thankfull that my wife had not been driving because she may have reacted differently and a vehicle crash may have been the result. Since the vehicle, a 2002 Chevy Silverado lt 1500 4WD, was out of warranty, I took the vehicle to a neighborhood auto repair shop where I have done business before. The mechanic eventually removed the "turn signal/multifunction lever". at a point where the wiring harness plugs into the switch he and I both observed several burned wires as well as the insulation that appeared to have beened burned off. A new multi function switch was ordered and installed. Everything seems to worked fine now. Fortunately no fire occurred and there was no crash or injury. I have the old part and will retain it. I contacted General Motors customer assistance and reported the incident and received a service request case file number of 1-372503129. The person I spoke with advised me that there had been no recall or service bulletin concerning that problem.

- Bridgeview, IL, USA