Lost my dash lights on my '03 Tacoma

I have lost my dash lights(cluster), the fuse for turn signals burns out intermittently and the cigarette lighter is VERY slow to heat up-never getting cherry red. A little history which might be relating to my current problem:
I closed the driver door one day out in the woods and locked all 4. Returning, I found the driver door lock wouldn't unlock- manually or electronically. I managed to remove the driver door panel while it was locked, opened the door manually by finding the release in the door, fixed the problem internal to the door and reassembled it. After this repair I found the signal lights on the dash would turn on but not flash when the headlights were turned on but would work when turned off. I reached behind the fuse box internal to the cab and wiggled the wires in desperation as all fuses were fine. The signals then worked normally. All is well til about a month later, the dash lights in the cluster will not light up. All other lights work. All fuses fine and wiggling of wires a no fixer. Then the next day, the signal light on dash quit. The 10a fuse is burned so replaced today and the signal lights are working but dash cluster lights are still out. ANY ideas what could be my problem relating to the cluster lights not working? Oh and one other thing, the cluster lights wouldn't work in the past so by slapping the dash carefully they would come on. Now nothing....also, the cig lighter- no idea.
TacomaTerry,9 minutes agoEditReport
#1Multi-Quote +

 

There's some ground wires above inside fuse box left side. Check those first.

 

Ok, problem solved. After disassembling the dash and checking the wiring from back bumper to 2 fuse boxes and battery I found the plastic junction box (serving the canopy wiring)under the driver back corner of the box to be faulty, heating up after time and running power back up to the dash cluster and fuse box blowing the signal and tail light fuses after the junction box got too hot. replaced the junction box and all is good. Replaced the 4 burnt lights on the cluster at the same time so was good all round. No broken parts or left over screws.....