02 spec v dash light problems!!! Help..

in my attempts to install my own stereo, i messed up my dash lights. i was being cheap and decided not to buy the harness for 5 bucks and now dash lights wont light up when i turn on my headlights. I cut the stock harness straight across through both plugs. when i did so, i noticed my gauges flashed on and off twice. Finally after several attempts my stereo was connected, but now the dash lights dont light up. all my functions work, needles work, stereo works, ac, defrost etc.... but the gauges wont glow no mo!!!! i cant figure out how to mickey mouse rig it to light up through a separate switch.

anything would help. thank you.

:banghead:

first: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA second: there is a wire in there that illuminates your headunit, does your headunit light up? also check for blown fuses, i shorted my headunit out by blowing a fuse and when i wired mine up there was a connector in there for the illuminator and it came off of the dash wiring so look for your fuses first

yo dude, i did check all my fuses they all ok. found the illuminator wire and does lite up but when i turn my headlights on the dash turns off.

if i sauder everything back and install my stock headunit would that work???

sounds like you messed up the wiring, that when you turn your lights on, the whole dash lights up. check for that wire.

i'm honestly not sure which one that is, so im useless. i just know that aftermarket decks tend to have that same feature: only the face illuminated, and not the buttons. when the headlights go on, then the buttons go on.