so i have a 1995 sidekick, when replacing the radio we tried to test the voltage of the light behind the fan controls. When we touched it the dash lights and the lights for the ash tray and cigarette lighter all flickered and went out. the fuse is good and the dome light (which is on the same circuit) still works. We tested it again and the voltage is still there on them, but the lights wont turn on, even with new bulbs. Any ideas?

If you have voltage but no light it sounds like you have a bad ground.

hmm i guess that sounds right any idea of how i deal with that? my electronics expertise are a little patchy

Not sure, most of my electrical work has been on the SJ other then just splicing into wiring.  I would check out the circuit diagram, I think Acks Faq has a copy of your factory service manual (FSM) available, and see if you can track down where your dash grounds out at.

You also might have shorted a wire out somewhere as well, but that is probably less likely.

...from the '96 Tracker FSM:

http://www.acksfaq.com/96-FSM-v2-8A-150_pdf.htm

I haven't had a chance to get the individual sections in the search engine yet, so use this link to see all the sections in a physical index link page:

http://www.acksfaq.com/trackerfsm.htm

I hope that this helps!

alright i need to go take a look at this
thanks guys