No bad fuses but dash/running lights are out

I have a feeling this has to do with the completely smoked "Illumination" wire in my stereo wiring harness (got the car that way, no clue about why it happened, or even when). Figuring out how to kill power to that wire is another project all together, but recently I shoved a beanie in the cavernous hole that should be a radio and I think that wire found a ground.

My question is what do I need to fix to get the lights to come back on. Sorry to post before searching but its hard to do on my phone. Thanks for any input.

~

 

[4wheelsqueal]

Check the fuses under the hood. The dash lights are tied into the tail lights fuse.

 

[boosted_85]

Also check the dimmer switch

 

[toybreaker]

Some good info on troubleshooting the running lights cab be found in this thread