I was thinking the dimmer switch was the only link between the 2 I'll have to see if I can see any corrosion. Im not finding much info online about replacing that dimmer switch at the base of the column it looks like a pita!
Thanks for the help
It's really not that bad of a job, but I also haven't seen many go bad.
One word of advice if you do replace it, is tape that actuator rod to the column tube securely then slip the switch away from it. You've got room to do so on the other side of the steering column bracket. The opposite end of that rod inside the steering column isn't really attached firmly to anything and you don't want it to slip out and potentially be a pain to get back in place. It's been forever since I've had to touch one of those switches (again, they rarely seem to go bad)
but I believe it clips into place on that bracket, which also holds the ignition switch, and is adjustable - so you might resist the temptation to go unbolting the bracket if you can avoid it. Editing to fix my poor memory on it - the switch is indeed mounted on a bracket with those adjustable slots, so just pay attention to the witness marks as you line it back up. IIRC the ignition switch snaps into a fixed bracket right next to it. Man, being hands-off these trucks for too long is messing with my head.
You could probably just start by popping the connector off and shooting it with some DeOxit. A new switch is less than $10 but likely to not be the same quality switch that has already lasted you all these decades.
Richard