I wouldn't rule out any electrical gremlins based off the other symptoms you're dealing with, but definitely check over some basics- check for vacuum leaks, check for free play in your throttle cable (if it has zero free play, it can cause your throttle plate to stay open slightly). You can also try unplugging the MAF sensor to see if it improves the idle- if it does, pull it out and check for debris/clean it with a proper MAF sensor cleaner (or replace it if that doesn't help). Let us know what you find- any information you can provide with more details will help.

Ok, so in only 160k this car has had every issue ever mentioned here, from multiple ECU capacitors to dashboard lights out to multiple clock display issues to disintegrated distributor rotors, etc. But this one is new to me. The dashboard has gone dark, not the strange part, as this is the second dashboard to go dark on me. But this time, in addition to it going dark, the idle speed has gone to 2000 rpm! Put it in gear and idle drops to 800 rpm! I assume C212 capacitor for the dash lights out but the sudden very high rpm has me baffled. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I thought that may have been the case an already gave the fob a brand new battery. The brake lights do come on. but no change to the start button. I'll try this the next time I'm over there. I did try checking the fuses before. I found AM2 and IGN were still good. I didn't see one listed as AM1 and the ST was a block fuse that looked to be good. That was a typo on my part. I meant they are NOT loose. They are tight on the battery and don't move. There was no key not detected message and the light never turned green just stayed a amber color whether or not the brake was pressed.

have you tried it in both directions and how about the other seat - does that work okay?

You may only have the reverse lamp on one side so a missing bulb where it should be is then normal