well if you had to punch the dash to get them to work, that would also most likely mean the relay/solenoid for that circuit was on its way out. either way, it gets weirder. last night i went to dinner, and when i turned my lights on the dash lit up fine. even my low wiper fluid light went out! maybe i was met by the car fairy? beast the hell out of me. next time it does this though, ill hit the dash and pull that cluster. thanks for the replies