Hi there,

So could those pieces of copper wire I jammed in between the top of the plugs and the plug wire connector be causing some sort of feedback or noise in the electrical system that is making these warning lights glow?

No connection there, but sometimes working under the hood things can get bumped.

...flickering, glowing, pulsating, whatever, whenever ignition is on.

Motor running? How do they look with the motor stalled?

The leaky windshield clue would have me checking the L-shaped connector at the back of the speedometer, but the poor connection could be anywhere from the ignition switch to the alternator slip rings. The likely (meaning most common) trouble is short brushes in the alternator regulator.

Weird story about the plugs and wires...were the plugs screw-terminal and the wires needed the other kind?

P.S. On second thought, I really do not know for certain the alternator regulator would be immune to the sort of open circuit stray voltage the improper plug wiring could create. Keep your instinct working, and fix the plugs and wires first.


--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.