Sounded like you had a short somewhere. Probably a bad (+) somewhere between your switch and the bulbs/ dash backlight. Its really easy on a bike that was in its condition becuase a (+) just has to touch any part of the frame and it shorts. Its kind of like Christmas tree lights, you unplug one and nothing on that circuit will work... Of course you did the alternative, but you did a stellar job reconditioning it!
2009 Rubicon Camo "Rubi"
Kolpin XL double gun rack
4" camo Storage Tube (thanks Rich450es)
Third Headlight Switch
Hardwired Garmin eTrex Vista HCx GPS
Heated Grips and Thumb
Looking for more goodies/mods,
suggestions always welcome