i installed a new headunit and now my dash and gauge lights are on when my headlights are off, and then the dashlights turn off when my headlights are turned on...wtf

 

Sounds like you connected the wrong wire to the car's "illumination" wire. Did you use an aftermarket wire harness to connect to the OEM plug, or splice into the stock wires?

 

stock wires were already cut so i had to splice into factory..

 

stock wiring combined illumination and dimmer in a red and white wire.. head unit had two wires.. is it possibkle my problem is from leaving either the dimmer or illumination unspliced

 

It probably has to do with the illumination wire. How exactly are you hooking up the illumination wire, I'm a little confused?

On aftermarket radio connectors, there is an orange illumination (dash light dimmer) wire that many people don't use, it should be taped up.

 

the car has a red/white combined wired for the two... i believe there was only an orange and white wire which was labeled dimmer that i hooked to it... no orange illuniation wire.. are they seperate or am i an idiot

 

Try this:

Disconnect the red/white from the orange/white dimmer wire. It may not be necessary. If it is okay after that, tape up the orange/white dimmer wire.