However, the uppers aren't switching. They are stuck in hi beam mode.
Got a second opinion about the uppers. They seem to be functioning normally.
Yeah, I know what you mean. The entire description of operation is vague at best and the end of the last sentence (traced in yellow) is downright misleading:
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It is difficult to discern the change in intensity from 60 to 40 watt filaments under any circumstances - unless you know it is going to happen and are staring directly at the lamps.
Add to that, the fact; that at the same instant when the uppers are switching from "pretty bright" to "kinda bright", the lowers are transitioning from dark to full illumination.
I'm uncertain what fixed itself; but we'll see how long this holds before the HL's start acting up again.
They didn't fix themselves,
you fixed them - by installing a pair of functional sealed beams in the lower bays and using good electrical maintenance practices to correct the issues at the harness/lamp connections.
Unfortunately, I have to agree with you on your feeling that the initial problem still hasn't been addressed. While you do currently have a fully operational headlight system, that won't matter when/if the power supply is lost again. The only difference will be that now you'll have 4 dead headlights rather than just two like before.
Ultimately, this particular problem won't be that hard to diagnose/repair (due to the basic nature of the circuit and the well defined area of any possible causes). But, as anyone who does their own automotive work knows, intermittent electrical problems are the biggest pain in the ass to identify and correct. But don't worry, you'll get this. Keep the faith and try to resist the urge to buy a bunch of expensive new parts and do a shotgun repair.