I'll make this quick and concise:

I pulled my gauge cluster 2 days ago and swapped out my 85mph speedometer for a 145mph speedometer. These problems developed immediately afterwards.

The problem:
Instrument panel lights for the entire gauge cluster, HVAC, and shifter console do not come on when I turn on the headlights. Also, the headlight chime that is supposed to sound when the car is off does not sound. HOWEVER, when I turn on the high beams everything lights up as normal, and the headlight chime sounds if the car is off (like it should). Furthermore, the little green left turn signal arrow does not light up, but the right turn signal arrow does. The dimmer switch does not dim the panel lights.

Additional Info:

When I reinstalled the gauge cluster after swapping speedos, the left side did not seem to fit quite right (wouldn't go back in all the way!). I'm going to pull the gauge cluster first thing tomorrow morning, but any helpful info you guys want to shoot my way is appreciated. Hopefully its just something that isn't connected quite right.

ALSO
I notice when I go to shut my door after turning off the car that I get a light shock sometimes, like there's a bad ground somewhere?

Any help is appreciated
-AJ

 

Ok guys, HELP!

There's good news, and there's bad news!

The Good News:

Pulled the gauge cluster again today. It looks like one of the two "plugs" (the one on the left hand side, where the blinker wasn't working) had moved slightly when I was fiddling with the cluster, and it wasn't lined up with the female connector on the cluster itself. This is why the cluster wasn't fitting properly. So, I got it lined up, and with a little fiddling with the speedo cable, got her back in. She slides in perfectly now. And, the blinker works again. AND, I was able to do the whole job in a little over an hour.



THE BAD NEWS:

Still no gauge lights...they don't even come on with the hi-beams anymore (but the hi-beam indicator works :P). I have to drive home in the dark tonight. I'm not looking forward to it. While I had the cluster out I looked at the circuit board. I saw no breaks or charred places anywhere, except for a small tear and slight charring of one of the prongs on the circuit board in the female "plug connector" on the speedo-side of the cluster. The circuit itself looks intact, however. I have the sneaking suspicion that this small screw up on my part (I probably tore it trying to force it in) has fried my gauge lights. It looks real minor to ME, but...I'm no electrician.

I may end up going to a mechanic...but I'll wait a day for some replies to this post.

PS: I checked the fuse for the gauge lights, it looks fine.

 

Pull the guages back out, and do a continuity test on the light traces. Most multimeters are capable of this, or you can use a battery and a test light. Keep one test lead on the trace where you plug into the back of the pod, and then work your way down the trace with the other lead and test at each light. If you don't have continuity, the break is between that light and the previous one. I had a break in my light trace that I couldn't see until I peeled my laminant up and it seperated the two sides of the wire. I soldered it up and it's good as new. You could also test the leads on the actual plug and see if the guage light wire is getting 12+.

Good luck,
Matt