Dash Illumination

My cig lighter isn't working. It works once then blows fuse on second time. I started to trace the wire, without unpluging the battery. I came across a splice but I didn't thing I let it touch anything to ground out, I covered it back up... well bottom line, my dash lights aren't working now. It is the illumination lights for the dash, and also the air/heat control unit lights. All warning lights are still working. Suggestions?

Anybody? Even an idea?

check that fuse! try unhooking your cig lighter when you plug in a new fuse, then check your lights

The dash lights worked without the cig lighter working before. I wasn't sure which fuse was for the dash lights, so I checked them all and they're okay.

okay.. got the cig lighter working... still up for ideas on the dash. The illumination lights aren't working and the lights for the ac/heater unit aren't working either.