'95 Lincoln town car. Husband was driving uphill and the digital dash suddenly went dark. Radio is working and a/c is not. Exterior light still working and so are interior lights besides the dash

The electronic instrument cluster is operational only when the ignition switch is in RUN. The electronic vacuum fluorescent displays are powered by a nonserviceable internal power supply. The only illumination bulb used, which is not serviceable, is for backlighting of the transmission range indicator. When the headlamps are turned on, the instrument cluster dims according to the interior lighting control paddle position (except those warnings indicated above, which do not dim).

Check fuse # 18 10amp location instrument panel fuse box .

Check fuse # 7 15 amp same location .

Instrument Cluster and Panel Lighting

• The instrument cluster and panel lamps are powered through the fuse junction panel.
• Illumination power is supplied through Circuit 484 (O/BK).
• Ground is supplied through Circuit 57 (BK).

• electronic automatic climate control
• electric clock (15000)
• heated back window switch and light (18C621)
• instrument cluster (10849)
• transmission range indicator (7A110)
• radio chassis front control unit and digital audio compact disc player (18D806)
• headlamp switch illumination
• message center switch module

1. Press the E/M and SELECT (reverse select) buttons simultaneously while turning ignition switch from OFF to RUN. The electronic instrument cluster will enter a special test mode and display information in the center display opening. Information displayed includes a number in the speedometer display and two numbers in the odometer display, one on the left and one on the right. Both the left and right display openings will be dark (off
   
2. If any of the displayed information in the center opening flashes on and off continuously, the electronic instrument cluster is inoperative and should be replaced. (After replacing the instrument cluster (10849), verify that the symptom is no longer present. If symptoms persist, begin diagnosis again.) If the display does not flash, turn the ignition switch to OFF to exit this special test mode. Then continue through the diagnosis section (the instrument cluster may or may not be damaged at this point).
1. If the concern remains after Instrument Cluster Self-Test, connect the Rotunda New Generation Star (NGS) Tester 007-00500 or equivalent to the data link connector (DLC) located beneath the instrument panel to perform DATA LINK DIAGNOSTICS test. If the NGS responds with NO RESPONSE/NOT EQUIPPED for the lighting control module, go to Pinpoint Test A . If the DATA LINK DIAGNOSTICS test is passed for the lighting control module, retrieve continuous DTCs and execute Self-Test Diagnostics for the lighting control module to retrieve current DTCs.
   
3. 1. If self test is passed and no DTCs are retrieved, go to the Symptom Chart to continue diagnostics.
      
   1. If DTCs are retrieved, go to the Lighting Control Module (LCM) Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Index to continue diagnostics.
      
   1. If the lighting control module cannot be accessed by the NGS, go to Pinpoint Test A .
      
   Rotunda Service Bay Diagnostic System (SBDS®) 001-00001, may also be used to diagnose this system.
   You probably need a new instrument cluster ! you should take to a ASE certified repair facility or a dealer ! Or you could go to a auto salvage yard an get used cluster an see if that fixes it !
   

Could be a bad wire possibly chaffing or grounding out to to another wire or frame. Check your fuses. You may want to pull the dash out and check that wiring as well