1997 Ford Taurus dash and tail lights

Working on a firends Taurus. I normally do all my own auto work but thins one hase me stummped.
She has headlights, turnsignials, backup lights, brake lights and emer flashers, just no dash lights and tail lights.
I mean, at night, nothing in back of the car is lit unless she puts on the brakes, backs up, or turns on here flashers. Funny thing is, she also has no dash lights at the same time.
I check the fuses, bulbs, and connections, all appear good. Am I missing something? Oh yea, I already swaped out the headlight switch and it did nothing to fix the problem.