I had no display until changing TRISA from %10010000 to all outputs
correct I failed to make the LCD_RST pin an output , all the "LCD" pins need to be digital outputs.
my code did not work after a power cycle , the disp was keeping its config from previous code so resets never happened
it all looked good while the power was still applied.


When I add LCD_LIGHT = 1 in the mix I have no text displayed.

LCD_LIGHT = 1 is backlight off. LCD_LIGHT = 0 is backlight on
if it does anything else then check your wiring , or it may be a power problem