Re: lack of power to accessories wire
Check for 12 volts on the "A" terminal of the ignition switch. If you have voltage, the switch is good and the problem lies in the wire from that point to the gauges. If you do not have 12 volts on that terminal, the ignition switch is bad. You obviously have voltage up to the switch since without it the starter would not spin in the START position. Remember that you cannot possibly get a 12 volt reading if the ground point you have the meter probe on is not actually ground. So the problem may not be in the accessory wire at all but rather the ground.