First of all hi, I just got my first 94 Dakota 5.2L SLT EXT 4x4 in April with over 95K on it. I recently drove it from Nebraska to NYC and back with no problems except one. When I turn on the headlights the turn signal lights will stay on solid, the gauges will quit working and the high beam indicator will show the opposite of what the headlights are actually on. So far smacking the top of the dash seems to get it to work until i turn the headlights off and then on again. I found this site from awhile back and these people are having similar problems with different trucks http://groups.google.com/group/alt.a...697cc7a89df666

Any ideas? Thx.

 

Since you said that when the headlight switch is on, the turn signals and high beam indicators stay on, and the gauges stop working, I am guessing a problem with a ground. (Looking at the wiring diagram find the only real simmilarty between those is the ground).
The ground is located to the left (drivers' side) of the radio (from the look of the schematic, it seems closer to the steering column).
If that does not work, I would recommend taking apart the instrument cluster, and, you will see two connectors on the rear of it (a gray and a red one). The red connector has the ground (the only all black wire). Make sure all the contacts are good and clean, pay special attention to the ground contact.
Post back with what happens, or if you need more help.

 

I had the EXACT same problem with my 96. All you have to do is remove your instrument cluster, unplug both barrell connectors from the back, twist them up so that if you let go they will try ti untwist. Plug each one back into the instrument cluster with the wire harnesses twisted. The plugs will have constant untwisting pressure on the pins in the back of the cluster and your problem will be gone! I did this over six months ago and my truck has never done it again!!!

 

well i found a ground wire down by my pedals on the left side of the steering column, one end is attached to a stud and the other end is attached to nothing and looks like it has been cleanly cut off.