73' duster wont start after dropping steering column

Sounds to me that you may not have your amp gauge hooked up if your dash is out. If you want to run the car or test circuits without the dash in you must fasten the two amp gauge wires together. Use a 1/4 20 bolt and nut. and fasten the red and black wire together. You can also do this to see if your amp gauge is bad for a quick test. You can start a car without the amp gauge but you must connect the red and black wires. All power passes through the amp gauge.