OK the lights worked fine, my buddy, cut the wire that goes to the center console light, I rewired it today, the lights still go off when I turn on the exterior lights, the radio lights go out and the instrument panel lights, any suggestions?? ALL the fuses are fine.......

OK the lights worked fine, my buddy, cut the wire that goes to the center console light, I rewired it today, the lights still go off when I turn on the exterior lights, the radio lights go out and the instrument panel lights, any suggestions?? ALL the fuses are fine.......
Dash lite dimmer rheostat bad?

he's right. I just replaced 2 of them in two 97 police Lumina's with the same exact issue. It's a pretty easy fix and junkyards generally have plenty of Lumina's.