Thats exactly what happened to my ground wire.  Threw the lights and the tach off.
I also believe that the ignition switch can be an issue with the lights if that has not been discussed yet.

http://www.benplace.com/dash.htm

PM
PDX
USA

Paul Monty

--- On Tue, 2/9/10, Karl Mullendore <tdiguru@WESTYVENTURES.COM> wrote:

> From: Karl Mullendore <tdiguru@WESTYVENTURES.COM>
> Subject: Re: Headlight's wont come on (relay bad?)
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Date: Tuesday, February 9, 2010, 4:17 PM
> Or, the main headlight ground
> connection is loose or disconnected at the
> grounding star. This is a brown wire connection directly
> above the fuse
> panel on the sidewall of the van, concealed beneath the
> dash. Either pull
> the fuse panel down of the instrument cluster out to access
> the area.
>
> Karl
> www.westyventures.com
>
>
>
> >On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 3:31 PM, Danny C. <bruiserbabie@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>  My lights
> >> wont come on unless you hold up the dimmer switch.
> And the relay does not
> >> click. But when I pull up on the turn signal
> switch the high beam light on
> >> the dash comes on and so do the lights but as soon
> as I let go they go back
> >> off. Any help thanks....
>