can't get gauge lights working

had a problem with my ignition switch recently
when removing switch the lower end had just fell apart
after cleaning the contacts up real good id reassembled with dialectric grease and reinstalled. 
solved many problems but just cant seem to get any gauge lights working

not sure if related to ignition switch but i dunno

thanx

Is this the gauge "back lighting" you are talking about or the warning lights as well (oil pressure, neutral etc) if you are talking about the "back lighting" check the voltage on the Red/Blue going into the instruments (with everything connected and switched on) - this supply comes from one of the 10amp fuses (Red/White wire out of the fuse box) should be within 0.5v of battery voltage

wookie yes its the back lighting and not the warning lamps
im going out to check voltage on red/blu feed will post findings
thanx wookie

so i tested for continuity from where the wire connects to doide (male blade end by fuse box and with the diode disconnected from loom) 
and tested continuity to connector inside head lamps housing (four prong connector)

i had continuity at r/blu
with red probe on the end by fuse box (r/blu wire) and the black probe then on the four prong connector inside head lights housing
not only did i have continuity on r/blu   strangely enough i also had it on brown and the wht/yel   is this normal

the diode by itself pulled from circuit was tested using diode mode on voltmeter
it was reading .447v 
tried to test ohms and it started out at 3.47 M ohms and steadily climbed to infinity
dunno if any of that helps

Forget doing continuity tests and taking resistance readings, you need to check voltage with everything connected and the circuit turned on as I said previously - going about it the way you are will send you down a rabbit hole 

What is the voltage on the red/white coming out of the fuse box ?
What is the voltage going into the instrument cluster ?