not one light on the dash or back lights work when i turn the key. the car will start but no dash lights help.

 

first check the fuses. The dash lights, parking lights, and taillights operate on the same circuit. If the fuses check out then it is most likely the switch which is an easy and free fix.

 

I sometimes wonder if my dash lights are working, but they are just really, REALLY dim. I wish I knew how to get them brighter.

 

should be a rheostat to control the brightness of the dash lights. Not sure where it is on the Z31's though But I can't recall a modern era car that didn't have a dimmer.

Should look something like this though i assume: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1988-...QQcmdZViewItem

 

does the switch controlle the gauges, ac/heat thay also aren't working.

 

yes the rheostat controls the illumintation for all the dash lights including the gauges and the ac/heat lighting. If you mean you ac/heater just isn't blowing then thats soemthing else. But if you're referring to the lighting on the control unit, then yes, the switch controls that too.

 

i'm not getting a reading on the gauges, no acc. are working. only thing in the car that is working is the windows go up and down and the mirrors move nothing else maybe a bad ground i checked the relay and is good please help me driving me CRAZY