Questions on 86 Custom Deluxe Dash Lighting

[11555wally]

Trying to get some lights on my instrument panel and not sure I understand what all is going on there. Battery and Brake light come on when starting. Haven't seen idiot lights work for water temp. or oil. Has after market gauges under the dash. Turn signal lights and high beam lights work just fine. The light behind the speedometer and fuel gauge don't seem to be that bright. They have the 168 bulbs in them. I am missing a couple of light sockets but I think I can move the ones from the idiot lights. I'm going to change out some of the bulbs with new ones. Does the instrument panel have to be grounded when testing the light sockets. I have the panel plugged in and just hanging out of the dash. Thanks for any tips or suggestions. This forum sure helped me figure out how to get the panel out. Thanks again.