I followed some wires tracing sources of things which brought me once again to the fue box. I moved some wires to inspect things and..........
Low and behold... hidden in there was a blown fuse. Glass fuse with the sodder blasted against the glass in such a manner that from one angle it looked to be a complete circuit across the fuse cause the sodder on the glass made it look like the element inside was intact . At least in a dimly lit situation like last night was, the element looked good
Well at least that is my excues and Im sticking to it!!!
I connected a jumper to replace the fuse and my volt meter on the dash returned.
Sooooo..... then I got a fuse put in and started it up. Will just have to wait and see if it blows out. I still could have a short or something that is blowing the fuse.