Which lights, exactly, came on? If the ABS and BRAKE lights come on, I would say you have another issue. Did the SERVICE VEHICLE SOON light come on? It should have since you were having trouble with "body control" parts in the car, i.e. headlights. That's weird also that the temp gauge hit the roof...it didn't truly overheat, did it? Was it just a malfunction with the gauge?
BTW, what is the year and engine?
Jeremy