no dash lights when automatic headlights turn on

I'm having a problem with my '98 GTP. At night, when the automatic headlights turn on, all the lights on the dash (instruments, DIC, radio, everything) go out if the car is in Park. If I put the car in gear, and then manually turn the lights on, the dash lights will turn back on. When I put the car back in Park, all the dash lights go out again. Ideas?

Phil,
I apologize, but can you respond to my questions I posted in the following thread about the transmission problem:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=2557816
It would be very helpful to me.
Thanks,
Guido

does the dimming feature work at all in gear or in park? you might have a bad dimmer switch, even though i dont see why that would effect the in park/gear setting.

i had that happen to me before and then about 3 miles down the road i got pulled over because the tail light fuse was blown and the ass of my car wasn't lit up at all,

when you open the door does the car ding like you left the car lights manualy on???

hope that might help ya if not.... i have no idea.

Hmm. The dimmer is working just fine once I get the lights to turn on.

I haven't checked any fuses yet, but I did see that the rear lights were all on. Just nothing lit up on the dash.

I'll keep digging. Fortunately everything seems to work fine once the lights get turned on.