unsprung

My high beams have been acting weird lately. When I push to flash the high beams, nothing happens. When I push down to have them on constantly, all that happens is my lows turn off. After a few minutes after playing with the level but not leaving it in the high beam setting, they finally come alive. During all this time, if the highs don't come on, the indicator bulb on the dash doesn't turn on as well.

I thought it might have been the bulb being slightly loose in the socket, but that doesn't explain why they come on after a few minutes. I'm guessing the indicator doesn't come on unless the highs do come on. Any ideas?