head light switch and dash lights

I am trying to put my dash back in. The problem I am having is the gauge lights will not go out and the head light switch is getting hot around the rheostat area. I took the head light switch off and put a meter on the wires and I am getting 12 volts on the one red wire and all other are 0. tried new switch no help head lights work with normal operation. Any suggestions on what to look for

 

Your red wire reading 12 volts should be connected to your ignition, and not be HOT until switch is turned on.

 

Normally the rheostat gets its power from the headlight switch power which is on all the time. The rheostat when turned clockwise will brighten the dash lights and all the way counter-clockwise for off. The off position is sometimes a hard twist until you hear a click.

 

the gauge lights stay on in all positions they dont dime go bright or shut off. i have to pull the orange wire to shut them off. what would make the rheostat so hot. the head lights work normal they shut off

 

The rheostat temperature is relative to the bulb load. The more bulbs you add the hotter it will get. Have these lights ever worked properly since you have had the rig?

 

found a extra wire in the loop back feeding disconnected all works good now thanks

 

Glad you got it.