Headlights went out when i hit a bump a few nights ago (very scarey). They worked if I held the headlight switch on the column. Got into the column and this fell out (used a pic from google) But it looks just like this...

 

That I believe is part of your hi/lo beam switch in the column. You might have to replace the whole switch assembly depending on if its broke. It might be easier just to replace the column.

 

Renix uses gm steering coloums seeing how you are into yours hit the jy and pull another . dont see how this would cause no headlight though
?

 

When you pull the stalk up, this plastic piece pushes the rod down to the dimmer switch (mounted about 10:00 on top of the column above your left foot. Its not part of any assembly, just another piece in the puzzzle.
Google "GM tilt steering column rebuild", you should find some good write-ups. IIRC, I used a good writeup on a Buick page.

JY would be a good route, pulling the inards of the column is certainly doable, but not as easy as a complete swap.

 

Yep its the hi/lo beam actuator. Its not broke, at least that piece isnt, but considering it fell out, the rod or the little nub that it slides onto might be broken. If they arent broken, its still kind of a pain to get it all back in and aligned right.

Digging into the column is easy with the correct tools. Dig in and see!

This is how ti goes back together

 

Oh i misread your post, you pulled the column apart and that fell out.

Your headlights going out after you hit a bump could be your headlight switch is bad. When you pull up on the hi/lo switch your brights come on even if the headlights are off. So that would be where i looked to first, the actual headlight switch itself.

 

Mine broke who-knows-how-long-ago. When I got it the PO was unaware that she had been driving around with her brights on and finally had the answer as to why everyone had been flashing their lights at her for the past several years.

Fortunately, I pulled the lower cover off and just reach in and actuate the rod with my thumb. Works fine but difficult to do quickly. Rusty's Off-Road (or maybe it was Morris?) has the OEM hi/lo switch for pretty cheap (like $35-ish IIRC)

 

My question is how did you know what to search for on google if you didnt know what it was? haha. I had the same problem with my 88....steering columns are a *****!