This is going to be the dumbest thing you read today.   1956 Mercury,  Rebuilt the engine this winter, have taken it out a few times since.   Pulled out of the driveway last night, hit the lever to turn the heat on, and all the lights went out.  Headlights, brake lights, and all interior dash lights. It was after dark so i pulled it back into the garage (it was still running after the lights went out).   So i get under the dash to have a look.  No blown fuses, or bare wires that are obvious.  The heat lever did have a wire that ran to the radio under it, that it could have bumped.   Gave the headlight switch a jiggle, nothing seems loose.   With the key on, not running i hit the wiper switch and the lights came back on??!!   I think there must be a short in something?      NOW-   go to start it and it will not.   Haven't had any problems in the past.  Its cranking, but wont fire.   I pulled plug wire off the coil and held it close, and could see the spark jumping (using a remote starter button). Put that back on and pulled a wire out of the distributor, could see that sparking.  Sprayed some staring fluid in the carb, absolutely nothing.   Could a short on the headlight circuit cause it to not start?   It was running fine after the lights initially went out.   I metered from positive battery post to ground and have 2 meg ohms?     I dont see any fuses for the headlight circuit anywhere either?   All other electronics are still working fine (radio, turn signals, horn, blower, ignition, dome light) but no dash lights, headlights, or tail/ brake lights?     Any help would be appreciated