OK, I'm no expert, but I would suspect two things. I also guess you've got to take apart all electricals and buy a wiring diagram if you haven't one. It sure sounds like the wiring needs a lot of investigation to correct.
Your headlight switch sounds asif it is not working properly, but it is easily replaced. Furthermore you probably burnt of the insulation on some of the wiring, casuing one or several shorts which is probably why the dashlights do not work.
Had it only been about the dash light not working my advise would be the following. Usually I would say check the ground from the metal dash to the instrument cluster. It is only a short wire, which often is missing or not grounding properly.
As you say a lot isn't hooked up, maybe one of those wires/connectors created a short which led to the melting insulation and loss of dash lights.
Be sure to check all wiring under the dash and repair where necessary to avoid these things in the future. Hook up everything the PO left unhooked. Change the headlight switch to a new one and see if the problem is cured.
As I said, I'm no expert, but other posters will be able to help you out more expertly.
Columbo
http://members.brabant.chello.nl/a.schroeders/Columbo66.jpg http://members.brabant.chello.nl/a.schroeders/Columbo66_2.jpg
First time rolling restoration, 66 289 nearing completion.
Your headlight switch sounds asif it is not working properly, but it is easily replaced. Furthermore you probably burnt of the insulation on some of the wiring, casuing one or several shorts which is probably why the dashlights do not work.
Had it only been about the dash light not working my advise would be the following. Usually I would say check the ground from the metal dash to the instrument cluster. It is only a short wire, which often is missing or not grounding properly.
As you say a lot isn't hooked up, maybe one of those wires/connectors created a short which led to the melting insulation and loss of dash lights.
Be sure to check all wiring under the dash and repair where necessary to avoid these things in the future. Hook up everything the PO left unhooked. Change the headlight switch to a new one and see if the problem is cured.
As I said, I'm no expert, but other posters will be able to help you out more expertly.
Columbo
http://members.brabant.chello.nl/a.schroeders/Columbo66.jpg http://members.brabant.chello.nl/a.schroeders/Columbo66_2.jpg
First time rolling restoration, 66 289 nearing completion.