I don't know about the '82, but we were able to remove the left side panel screws and pull the dash pad out far enough on a '75 to get to the switch to check the vac lines and with some massaging we were able to get a new switch in.  It was tight but easier than the P.I.T.A. way. 

My '80 switch had to be replaced and the 78 - 82's switches are lower down and much easier to get to than the earlier ones.  Pull out the a/c vent tube and you can reach up and feel the switch.  There is a button on the switch that you depress (tell it it's ugly and is dressed funny) when you pull the light switch rod out and it will come all the way out. 

Then unscrew the face plate and the switch will drop down.  You can check to see if both hoses are attached or if one is loose.

Reverse to replace.

As you are new to this do yourself a favor (it helped me tremendously).  Go to ebay and buy yourself a shop manual for the car.  Trust me, it helps more than you can imagine.

The main thing is don't get frustrated. 

If you only hear the "air rushing" noise when pulling the headlight switch out, then either the switch is bad, or one of the vacuum lines has come off of it. Either way, you'll need to get it out to see it.
The dashes are a bit different on the '78-up cars, but I couldn't say how hard they are to get to the headlight switch, as I've never done it on the later cars, myself. On my '74, I've found it easier to take the top dash-pad off for just about any cluster work...

Definitely no need for that on the later models.

Thanks everyone for your help!!!  This is a great web site!!!!!!!

I had to put in a new headlight switch. Did that by pulling out the instrument cluster on my 79. Plenty of access to run new hoses, look at other problems, cuss at the former owner who wired god knows what using 3M scotchlok connectors, etc.