HELP: Headlight switch triggering STARTER!!!

74 Valiant - Ok this one is making me feel a bit crazy.

I pulled the instrument cluster on this car because none of the lights worked. I replaced all the bulb connectors and bulbs. Figured I'd throw in a new vr and headlight/dimmer switch while I was at it... great... hooked it up to test running an extra ground from both the back of the cluster and from the headlight/dimmer switch to ground screw inside dash.

PART I ORDERED HERE

1. Start car - yay
2. Pull headlight/dimmer switch - headlights lights go on NO panel lights... booooo
3. Turn dial - no panel lights
4. Push switch back in pull back out - STARTER KICKS ON
5. *PANIC* Push switch back in - starter goes off (engine still running)
6. Turn car off - turn key half way
7. Pull switch - STARTER KICKS ON

How the heck is this even happening!!!? Some crazy bad switch?
Need some guidance... PLEASE