99 sunfire wont start...

[99sunfiredude]

ok here's the problem, i was backing out my sunfire in reverse it wouldn't go into drive so i turned the vehicle off, it went into neutral fine but then would not restart in any gear it was in, later today i shifted all the gears the mechanical linkage all works and goes into every gear but now my dashboard lights will not come on at all, does anybody have any idea what this could be? thanks for your help

 

[melsg5]

are you saying the battery is dead?

 

[99sunfiredude]

no the temp gauge is still goin up so i know it has battery power.

 

[melsg5]

if you turn on the headlights do they come on full brightness? when you turn the key to start do they maintain full brightness?