can the ing switch do this

Maybe. That does not explain "no dash lights" and no gauges. The gauges are fed off the ignition buss, so you'd think if it runs, the gauges would work

Sounds like multi--problems.

Yeah but the blue and the black originate from the same contact/switch position. Often times "no dash lights" means no indicater lights without reference to illumination.
Does narrow the fault down to the switch for sure.