95 Dodge Dakota

Sometimes when I turn the head lights on, the instrument lights and the speedometer don't work. Why? Help!

I have that same problem and when I tap on the instrument cluster, the lights and gauges come back to life. I would take a guess and say that there is a loose or decaying connection on the back of the panel. Mine will not come on any other way. It could be in the switch as I have noticed that I will lose the lights if I play with the dimmer function.