Panel lights dont work

This is a tough one. Make sure the fuses are good. Please keep in mind, they may look good, but be bad. You need to check them for continunity. That way you are sure power can flow through them. Once you do that, if they are good you need to check under the dash for any loose wires or bad grounds. If all checks out with that, then you need to have the actual headlight switch checked. That is where the power comes from for the dash lights.

Now for the key, what I recommend is this. Chances are the tumbler is dry and dirty. Go to a parts store and purchase lubericant that is designed for key tumblers. Lubericat the tumbler and run the key in and out several times and then do it again. That should take care of that problem. If it doesn't, the tumbler may have damage to it and need replaced. However, chances are that will take care of the problem for you.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Can you tell where the wires are going to? Now, this makes it harder for me. It sounds like someone has modified things.

Is it something that a person added to the vehicle? Is there a way for you to get a picture and upload it for me to see?

It sounds like someone ran power to an aftermarket component. If you want, you can send it on this web page. Save it to your computer then go to the "Attach an image" and upload it.

The idea that the lights came on when you turned the key off makes me think it is a ground problem. There are body grounds on the vehicle and they can break or corrode. Check to see if you see any problems with them both under the dash and under the hood. They look like flat steel straps that bolt from one steel component to another.

Finally, I found a layout of where the body grounds are located. Let me know what you find.

Areas 4 and 6 are where I feel the ground to the inst panel will come from.