f 360 dashboard illymination problem..!!!

hi there! I have just bought a f360 2002 model and after some exeptional sunday driving a very strange problem came up. I took the car for a night drivewalk yesterday and i noticed that when i turned on the vehicle lights the dashboards does not illuminate. I mean that only the "bars" light up. Not the background. Basically i can not see anything in the dark of the night. Only the speedometer and RPM "bars" going up&down. In the first the sight was pretty funny and me & my girlfriend started laughing the way the bars were going up and down....
Anyhow , I have to fix it. I called the local dealer and informed me that i have to change the dashboard. Price over 3.000 euros!! Is there any suggestions to fix the problem?
Is there anyone that had the same problem ?
Pls help me..!!

 

many thx my friend!!! you are very helpfull!! I will try and will inform you for any progress.