Hello all!

I am at the end of my rope with this!
Spent the weekend successfully changing the heater blower motor.
But that is not my problem. About a week or two ago I noticed the instrument cluster illuminating lights were out. (Of course I noticed, I couldn't see my speedo) The warning lights, signal indicators, clock, fuel gauge etc. all work, but no lights. OK, I can live with that. While doing the blower motor I unscrewed the instrument cluster and slid it forward enabling me better access to those damn blower housing clips. When it was time to put everything back, I noticed one unattached red/white striped wire. I couldn't figure out to where it belongs. So I let it be. Also, I removed two of the cluster illuminating bulbs and saw that one was bad. OK, that must be my lighting problem, just get new bulbs and complete the circuit.
Well, during my test drive soon after assembly, I noticed the SRS and ABS warning lights come on, the headlights dimmed to faint and when I got home the engine died and would not turn over-not enough juice in the battery.
Going through the charging troubleshooting steps outlined in my Haynes manual, I realized the charge warning light does not come on when I turned the key, even after I fully charged the (new) battery. The car starts but soon dies with a dead battery.
The Haynes manual states I should repair any wiring or bulb faults before continuing with charging system tests.
How do I check the instrument cluster for faults and missing/unattached wires? I can't get it out far enough to get a good look. It slides up to the steering wheel. Do I have to remove the steering wheel?
Does the fact that the charge warning light not come on sound like a plausable reason for my charging problems?

Sorry about the long winded note, it has been building-up all day.