[kathyk1947]

I had a parking light bulb replaced and 5 minutes later a "Service Vehicle Soon" light went on and then my dashboard went black. The Drive, Park etc light was lit but the entire dashboard above that was not. I went to a mechanic and he said the bulb that was replaced was not put in properly and the prongs were bent and touching each other and caused a short. When he fixed the prongs all the dash lights went back on. I went back to the mechanic who installed the bulb and he said it is impossible as the tail light has nothing to do with the dashboard. Was it a coincidence that the Service Vehicle Soon light went on 5 minutes after he installed the bulb and the dash went black. He insists it is not related but on my bill from the mechanic who fixed the problem it says "Repaired short in right rear tail light (Bulb was installed incorrectly). What do you think?

[TxGreaseMonkey]

. Test all under hood and under dash fuses with a test light or multimeter.

. Check the ignition switch for wear, pitting, or melting. A problem with the ignition switch could knock out all dash lights.

[Stratmando]

Personally, I feel the first mechanic screwed up. A Drastic and for sure test would be to remove the bulb of That socket and insert a wire/paper clip to the back of the socket(so you don't screw up bulb socket), to recreate the problem.
Knowing the Model and year of your Vehicle or a Schematic would help.

I don't suggest shorting out the socket as described above, It is something I might do, depending on the circumstances. Good Luck