No cluster light or HVAC light

[thereisnoyun]

So, here is the story.

I went to school, park my car, everything is working fine.
Tries to lock it with my remote, and something is triggering the remote from locking. I just left it be the way it is unlock since I have nothing in my car.

Come out about 7 hours later, my cluster and HVAC light doesnt come on,

1. Cluster does not light up
2. HVAC light does not light up
3. Parking light is on
4. interior dome light is on
5. head light works fine
6. all gauges work, gas, temp, rpm, mph, everything works fine
7. everything else on teh car is working.

I have tried
1. replace every single fuse, since I have a ton of
2. took the cluster out and examine the bulbs
3. replace the stalk with a functional tested stalk I have in my parts bin

I'm really stumped

- could my alarm be the culprit, would it lock out the interior light?

more info
1.) currently does not have a radio, all the wires are clean and tied cleaned and not touching

I need some insights and help

[thereisnoyun]

in addition, I grounded the cig tray lighter and the lights came on. Does this mean that it is absolutely the rheostat and that the stalk is the culprit?