'87 4kq: headlight switch, instrument panel bulbs

[Andrew Buc]

At least a year ago, the plastic "finger" underneath the headlight switch broke
off. Now the outer portion of the switch (the part you rotate) is supported
from underneath, but the inboard part isn't. I've been steadying the switch
with my right hand (not while the car is in motion!) when turning lights
on/off. I've seen this as an annoyance but not a must-fix-ASAP.

Now it looks as if the light switch is on the fritz. Rotate the switch one
click, and I get parking, tail, and instrument lights. Two clicks, and I get
headlights but not the aforementioned lights. A late-1996 post in the archives
suggests positioning the switch between the 1- and 2-click positions to get the
whole enchilada, and I find that this works for me, so I'm pretty confident of
the diagnosis. A few questions:

Any possibility that the switch's freedom to flop around contributed to its
failure? It looks to me as if the instrument pod would have to come off to
replace the switch--am I right? In my view, an affirmative answer to either of
these questions would be reason to replace the pod. Does anyone have a pod in
good shape that they'd like to sell? I definitely don't need to replace the
instruments, just the pod.

Also, one instrument-panel light bulb seemed to burn out shortly b4 the switch
went funky. Anyone know what kind of bulb I should ask for at the FLAPS? TIA