Sauwill,
I don't know about the '99, but on the '01, there are only a couple of bulbs that light that area - it's possible that they are bad. It would not be a fuse, because all the dash lights are on the same circuit - it has to be bulbs or a bad connection. To remove the dash panel, remove the two screws above the speedo, one above the radio, and the two around the steering wheel. The dash panel will then pull off (it has retainer clips-so it will take some effort). After the panel is removed, you can get to the screws that hold in the A/C controls. On the '01 you have to remove the control from the dash to replace the lights - I assume it is the same for the '99.