Dash lights won't turn off

[Nijoe]

Hi
Just driven from Cornwall to Oxford in my 1998 3rd Generation Surf and the dash lights won't turn off, remote locking and alarm not working. Just happened. .any ideas?
The battery and AT/oil lights go out.
The door open/seat belt/brake/oil lights remain on.
The remote locking isn't working or the immobiliser.
I can start it and all the lights go out.
Is it an ignition switch issue?
OK. .it's got dark and the instrument lighting remains on..but I have just discovered something weird..if you lift the tailgate all the instrument lights go out and the alarm works and the electric locking works. Close the tailgate and the warning lights come on and the instrument lighting the electric locking doesn't work and the alarm doesn't work.What is going on ?

[bryanisaoldgit]

wierd i know
but is yer rear wiper in its proper parking spot
is yer tail shutting all the way
other than that you got ghosties

[Growler]

sounds like a possible short in the tailgate loom ?

[Nijoe]

Dash Lights won't turn off

Thanks for your help
It does seem like something to do with the tailgate wiring.