I hate having to diagnose wiring problems in my car, and now I am stuck in a mess. I was driving down the road at night when I noticed my cluster light was slowly going dim. I pulled off into a parking lot and determined that there was no mechanical failure (such as my alternator going bad or something) and decided to try to make it home without the cluster lights. I made it home fine and the next day when it was light out, I checked my fuses. My interior lamp (a red 10) had blown. I thought easy fix and replaced it. Later that night (the next time I was in my car), I realized that the cluster was on and the keys weren't in the ignition yet. No matter what I did they wouldn't turn off unless I pulled the fuse. I couldnt figure it out. The next day after that, I went to try to find the problem and now the cluster is completely off and I can do nothing to turn it on. I quadruple checked all the fuses and they are fine. I traced the wiring from the cluster as far as I could and it seemed in good condition to me. I checked the light bulbs in the cluster and they were good as well. I am currently at a complete loss and was wondering if you guys had any ideas? Any help would be appreciated.

Did you check the wiring coming from your ignition switch?

when your gauges are on, are your parking lights on? it could be a bad headlight switch.

I tried tracing the wires from the ignition switch but could only get so far. The wires had voltage though and no signs of wire damage. Also, when the gauges are switched on (no lights still) the parking lights do come on. The turn signals and high beam cluster lights work, just the actual lights that turn on behind the speedometer, gas gauge, and temp gauge, and the HVAC control lights also dont light up.. I still have no idea what the problem is.

sounds like headlight switch