Problem with dash lights

[peanutman]

Ok i know it's probably a ground but iv'e checked all connections and can't figure it out. All was working fine last week. Now my dash lights come on when i turn the ing switch to on or acces. I have aftermarket guages wired to the same and they come on as well. The aftermarket guages will dim with the dimmer and the dash lights will not. What the heck is going on. Everything is wired to the same circuit.

[Thunderfoot]

Oh boy, those can be tuff to find... You pretty much have to start removing/isolating things from the circuit to find out which part of it is causing the problem and then look into it more.
I would start with a quick check of the ground wire connection for the instrument panel. You'll have to pull the IP out, and if I remember right the black wire is screwed to the column support bracing. You can kind of see how the ground wire for the IP is routed in this diagram, it is wire #57 http://www.fordification.com/images/sch ... s81-85.jpg
After that I would probably start with isolating the aftermarket gauges, unhook the wire where you tapped in for their lights and see if it goes away.

[peanutman]

Oh boy, those can be tuff to find... You pretty much have to start removing/isolating things from the circuit to find out which part of it is causing the problem and then look into it more.
I would start with a quick check of the ground wire connection for the instrument panel. You'll have to pull the IP out, and if I remember right the black wire is screwed to the column support bracing. You can kind of see how the ground wire for the IP is routed in this diagram, it is wire #57 http://www.fordification.com/images/sch ... s81-85.jpg
After that I would probably start with isolating the aftermarket gauges, unhook the wire where you tapped in for their lights and see if it goes away.

Thanks thunderfoot, i already tried unhooking the aft gauges that wasn't it. Last night i drove the truck and when i turn on the headlights the radio comes on I think there is a spare 3 slot plug behind the ip that i used to power this stuff and i guess i tested it with a test light and it dimmed with the switch so thats what i hooked the gauges too and possibly the radio, problem is i done it in the daytime and just haden't drove it at night until recent to discover my screw up.

So this is something i done Will have to pull the ip and fix my screw up. Wouldn't have realized it without driving it last night. Will holler at you if i can't straighten it out, but im pretty sure i know what i done now. Thanks for the reply!