well, tonite was the first time in a few months i've driven the seven at night, and the gauges wouldn't light up. the radio and tapedeck lights came on, but the gauges wouldn't light up, and neither would the air vent controls. how do i fix this?

 

Don't know for sure, but did you check fuses? I know in my 88 there was a fuse called "illum" that controlled it. Could also be a disconnected link somewhere. Take a peak under the dash (it WILL be uncomfortable) and see if anything is unhooked noticably.

 

Oh, oh, oh, look what I just read!

Sounds like your problems are solved.

 

Replace the Fuse, then make the headlights go up and down by themsels with the headlight motor switch only(not the headlamps "on" switch)

If they go up and down fine without blowing, then you've narrowed it down to the lamp/illumination area.

Then, Set the Dimmer to the lowest setting possible, see if the fuse blows, or takes longer to blow. (you may have to gradually increase the brightness)

If it did not blow right away, or If it blows while increasing brightness, then you know it is likely grounding itself out somewhere.

I know on the 84/85's (don't recall on the 79-83's) there are two wires under the shifter area with two plugs that APPEAR to belong together as they mate perfectly. They are not supposed to go together, in fact they are there to illuminate the Automatic transmission RX-7's.

Check there and make sure they aren't connected to each other and see if that works.

If it isn't, then it's time to get the circuit tester and ohm meter's out and look for that gremlin.

Good Luck and keep us posted.