NEW UPDATE FROM WINGED HORSE - I had ford replace my dashboard today, the dash looks great, and I hope they have done everything correctly. I held them to my warranty costs to get this problem fixed - since ford used defective materials on the 2000 dashboard. I am told I have a 2002 replacemnt dash now. also I hope they connected all the fuses back together correctly - time will tell. thank you all for your help - I will always be a newbie!
