I recently bought a '69 coupe and I'm prepping it for a state inspection. One of the problems left is the dimmer switch indicator in the dash to let you know when you have the high beams on. The floor dimmer switch does it's thing by going from high beam to low beam. With low beams on, the light in the dash won't go out. Is there a relay in the system that may be bad and where is it located? Recently, an occasional problem was the turn signals not working properly when the headlights are pulled on. Could the light switch on the dash be going bad and causing this secondary problem as well?

There are several possibilities to your problem. The wrong light / wiremay be in the socket for the high beam indicator. You should have a light socket in the 12 O'Clock position, on the back of the speedometer, that has a green wire going to it. If you have just a running light, gray wire, in that socket, anytime the lights are on, you will indicate high beams.

That is the first and easiest thing to check for. Check out your instrument panel at night and see if any instrument lights change intensity when you select high beams. Then you'll know you have a light in the wrong socket. Otherwise, you could have a broken tube/alley where the high beam light travels from the bulb to the indicator. This will require dash removal and then instrument removal. Not likely on this one, but possible.

If this doesn't do it, check grounds on the back of the instrument panel and any check wiring for anything that looks spliced or broken.

Good luck.

Woj

Thanks! It's more to go on than what I had. I'll be under the dash tomorrow afternoon checking out the wiring. Tonight I'll check for the change in intensity you mentioned. I'll have to get hold of a good manual on 69 chevs.

Hey Woj, thanks for the help. You were right, the intensity was different when I applied the brights. The bulbs were misplaced in the wrong sockets. I've corrected it and the car passed state inspection. Now it's on to window regulators and door seals.
Dan

Gotta love it when the easy solution is the answer!

Dan,
Glad it worked out for you.
Woj