headlight switch problem, maybe

[travelinman1962]

Hi ya'll. I think this place is great and i am hoping someone can help me. I have a 96 explorer and when i turn my headlight switch to either the running lights or to headlights, the light for the switch, dimmer switch, dash indicator lights,(cruise control,4x4 and other non emergency lights), go out. They come back on when i turn the head light/running light switch off. The main dash cluster lights are not affected. Any ideas?

 

[BWilliams]

Have you checked the wheel next to the headlamp switch? It's almost too easy, but I've had it happen before where it got rolled down somehow so everything got real dim when the headlights came on.

 

[travelinman1962]

My dash lights aren't affected, just the back light for the headlight switch, the small lights in the dash that say if your four wheel drive is on, and the cruise control is off. otherwise all the lights in the dash are on. But i am wondering if the wheeled dimmer switch could be the problem.