Would ground line/wire cause multiful other electrical problems??

What is your question?

At 85,000 miles a frayed cable window regulator was removed and window was lifted and help in place with a piece of wood.Cable was pushed out of way when window was used.And replaced 2 weeks later,.Mean while the Van died once at stoplight,and check gages light started to pops off and on,AT times its only right side gages ,other its both,or only one gage effected,Once the window seened repaired (goes up and dn) but door wont always unlock,Check Gages light Not repaired,and within a week both headlights stop working,only on bright. Van is hard to start only when Check Gage Light is on Local Mechanic says its A Instrument Panel, its going to be one wire at a time.AutoZone clerk says its a ground wire?? What may it take to get our Van running GREAT like it has done until The window stopped working???