kept me in the dark

[Dav]

My 95 Ranger lost the instrument lights last week, except for one near the gas gauge. Only reason I worried about it was I couldn't tell my speed in the dark. (new job has me heading out before the birds wake up)
Today I pulled the cluster and changed the bulbs. Several had dark spots like they were burned out. After I put it back together, I tested the bulbs with an Ohm meter. Only one was a dud.
Are the dash lights like christmas lights where one going out kills the whole string?
Won't know if they work right until tomorrow morning at O Dark 30

 

[19Walt93]

Dash lights are in parallel, not series like Christmas tree lights. If you had one bulb still working the problem shouldn't be with the fuse, dimmer, or switch. I suspect you've fixed it.

 

[Dav]

regrettably, I haven't.
Only the light behind the temp gauge is working. the bulbs I used are new. I tested the old bulbs and kept the good ones. The black plastic bulb holders were some original and some spares. I did not check the holders with the new bulbs in them; didn't think of it before putting it all back together.
What is the green plastic film with the copper tracks called? can it be removed from the back of the cluster and does anyone sell replacements?

 

[19Walt93]

It's called the printed circuit and can be replaced if you can find one. I've repaired breaks in them by soldering on a short piece of wire but you have to be careful with the heat.