'In the Dark' with another dashboard lighting post...

Hey everyone...this is my first actual post, believe it or not:
I am having a problem with my dashboard lights fading and/or going out on my '03 Pre-Runner XtraCab.....if anyone can help, thank you!!!

Here is a brief summary of the problem:
1) Dashboard lighting out (but only the speedometer side, other side is dim)
2) Automatic shift "gear" lights are out, but come on randomly...usually after driving over a pothole, bump, rock, etc...anything that gives the truck a jolt.
3) 1 of the 3 A/C Dial lights is out.
4) CD Player does not work (I don't know if this is related to the above, but I thought I'd let everyone know in case...)

PLEASE NOTE:
-Regarding the dashboard lights....it is NOT THE DIMMER DIAL!! I've tried that and it does its job as a 'dimmer'...but does not bring up the 'problem' lights.
-I have replaced/checked all fuses and they are all working.

If anyone can help me with this, it would be greatly appreciated...
I know there have been MANY posts about similar problems, but I haven't read one that seemed as complicated as this one...

The point of this post is really just to get an idea of what is wrong...so that when I take it in, the mechanic doesn't try to give me a raw deal because I'm 'in the dark' so to speak, you know? Sorry for the long post!!!!