65 Barracuda dim dash lights - no gas gauge either

Putting a 65 Barracuda back together after 30yrs of non running driveway time. I cleaned all the board traces when the dash was out, and now have it put back together. Charging gauge works fine. Hi beam and oil lights work fine. All interior and exterior lights work fine. wiper fine, sprayer fine, cigar lighter and map lights all good. I tapped a line off "instrument lights" to supply aftermarket tach. That is bright enough. Dash lights DO adjust with dimmer knob.

Dash lights seem awfully dim. :( seriously, too dim to read! speedo cluster slighly brighter than gauge cluster side. AND Gas gauge does not work.

Could they be related? what could it be?

I put the send lead to ground....nothing, no needle movement.

Any insights?

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