'86 5kcstq - Dashboard / Instrument Panel

[PKenlan@aol.com]

Greetings! I've been reading this list for some time and have learned a lot,
but I have a few puzzling problems with my 1986 5000cstq that I've all but
given up on and thought I'd bounce off the list:

1.  Instrument panel backlighting -
The backlighting on the instrument panel is "intermittent" at best.  It will
_usually_ come on for the first few minutes when I turn on the headlights, but
hitting any dips or bumps in the road will make the illumination shut off.
The turn signals and high-beam light work fine...  I figure that it's
something pretty simple since the problem seems to stem from a physical cause
which is separating a connection somewhere...  But I can't for the life of me
find where it is.  If anyone can answer this in detail it would be most
appreciated.

2.  Clock -
Admittedly a minor problem...  The clock in the dashboard is blank.  It will
display the time if one of the buttons is pressed, but no current flows to the
clock unless a button is pressed down i.e. it does not keep time unless a
button is held down.  Any ideas?

I suppose if those are the only two problems I'm suffering right now I'm a
pretty lucky soul (knock on <insert appropriate material here>).  
If anyone can give me a hand it would be most appreciated.
Thanks,
PHK
'86 5kcstq