Mitsubishi Repair: 2000 Galant Electrical Issues, dashboard lights, blown fuse

Question
Two issues:
1. The passenger-side tail and parking lights both went out a few months ago. They still function as blinkers but won't light up when they're turned on. I replaced all the bulbs (even though none were blown) and changed a blown fuse for the tail. When I turned the lights back on, they didn't work and the fuse for the tail light was blown again.    

2. The dashboard lights are out as well. I'm pretty sure they went out at the same time the tail/parking lights initially went out. I've looked underhood and under the dash but can't find a fuse for them and the owner's manual is no help with regards to bulb replacement.

My uneducated guess is that these "gremlins" are all intertwined somehow. Any ideas?

Thank you for your help...  

Answer
Fred,
This sounds like you may have a short in your light switch or dash dimmer switch.  This is the switch you use to turn on your parking lights, headlights, and is tied into your dashboard dimmer switch.  If there is a short somewhere in that circuit, it will continue to blow the fuse.  So if you want to continue looking for the "gremlins" yourself, start with the dimmer switch.  Turn it off completely and see if your fuse continues to blow.  If the fuse does not blow when the dimmer is off, but blows when it's turned on, then the problem is with the dimmer.
Good luck!