I had a similar problem, when there is no power to the dash and the ign does not come on then even though the car will start the altenator will not kick out any charge because it uses the power going to the ign light as a switching current to turn the altenator on, pisses me off that its been to an auto electrician and they dont know this, Mine had a brake in the wire that powers the dash, work out which one it is that gives ign 12v to the dash and replace it and all will be good