Headlight Dimmer Indicator Reversed

[bullington]

1971 GMC dual head lights.

When the low beams are on the hi-beam indicator is on and when the hi-beams are on it is off.

Tried reversing the headlight connections etc with no luck. What am I missing?

[chewychevy67]

Could the wires at the dimmer switch be reversed?

[Sheepdip]

I believe your dimmer switch has or had a packard connector from the factory, if it's been changed it could have been cut off and the wires reconnected individually putting the indicator wire on the wrong terminal connection.

[PbFut]

A poor ground on the cluster will make the dimmer and/or turn signal indicators act up.

[RustyPile]

Reversed or "misconnected" wires at the dimmer switch will not cause this problem. The hi beam indicator wire is connected to the hi beam wire at the firewall connector. The dimmer switch does not "care" which terminal is taken for the hi beam or lo beam. As long as the light blue wire from the headlight switch is connected to the dimmer switch common terminal. The tan wire carries the lo beam current and the light green wire carries the hi beam current.. Reversing the wires at the headlight bulbs will not effect the hi beam indicator operation, BUT the wires being reversed will cause the hi beam indicator light to operate in reverse. As I stated, light green wire is for hi beam and tan is low beam.

Bullington, as Pbfut suggested, the problem is probably a poor or missing ground for the instrument cluster, and/or the hi beam indicator bulb socket.

[bullington]

All good replies. Assuming it was a ground issue as I went through and cleaned and checked all connections and it started working as designed.

Automotive electrical and I don't get along