96 tacoma 3.4L

My truck started making a beeping sound like the blinker does, but the blinker isn't on and the clock dims like i'm turning my lights on and off. It will beep sometimes for a minute, other times for a second.

EDIT: The corner lights light up in tune with the beeping, along with the brake lights and the light that shines on the license plate.
If this isn't the right section lemme know, and i'll post it in the correct section. Thanks!
The blinking and beeping continue even with the key removed.

 

A friend mentioned it might be a ground wire, any thoughts?

 

Something to do with the headlight switch or a bad relay or the hazards and clock wiring doing something it's not supposed to (next to each other on my 4Runner, dunno if yours is the same)? The only thing I know about electrical stuff is that I don't know about electrical stuff.
Consider this a bump.

 

Hadn't thought of a bad relay, thanks!

 

So I pulled an in-line fuse under the dash and the ticking and blinking stopped but I lost the instrument cluster light. Everything still worked, just no back light.

 

So the clock and markers are working correctly but the back light's not?

 

Correct. I haven't done anything at all and now the backlight is working again.This whole thing has me and all my friends confused.
I forgot to mention the flashing and beeping will happen even with the key removed.

 

Does this have a Alarm???

If it does I would check that out.

Sounds like an alarm issue to me.

These things can be a royal pain if you don`t have the remotes or any info about it.

 

I have a Viper alarm. I have a little tab that I swipe so I can start it. I have no info on it tho.
What would you suggest my next move would be?

EDIT: I feel stupid now, the back light was just the little knob turned all the way down...