Ive been having numerous problems with my 1997's electrical system..I thought I had it taken care of, a part of my original stereo wiring harness was burnt.....So I replaced that, and my gauge lights now work fine, without blowing fuses.......
The new problem is, they dont come on unless I have the interior light control all the way in the top position- which means that my interior lights also come on.
Also, my mirror lights (vanity mirror lights) dont come on unless I move the mirror covering back and forth.

Ive read somewhere that missing bulbs will cause all sorts of electrical issue- my glove box light holder is broken, and my underhood bulb doesnt work.

Where should I start the next round of problem diagnosis?

The light switch controls all those and they do fail (auto headlight feature) and about $50 - then the 97 (only year) has the bad ignition module problem (called the ign switch but not the key/tumbler).