Instrument cluster & DIC on, then off, then on, then off.

[skregal]

The gauges and DIC on my 95 SSEi are acting crazy. They will work
and then go off. I have already replaced the headlight switch (more than once),
but this is different. The DIC will be blank and the oil, fuel, and boost gauges
will not work. Then they will all come on for a short time, then go off.
Speedometer and tach don't seem to be affected.

So obviously I have a short or ground wiring issue. Does anyone have any
idea where to start looking before I just tear the dash apart?
Maybe the cluster itself. I know there is grounding issues there, but
I'm not sure of the exact problem or fix (if there is one).

I don't think this is part of the common ground and wire harness corrosion
issues like under the driver's door sill, but I could be wrong.

[SSEBonne4evr]

When my 90 SSE cluster did the same thing, I pulled the cluster, and it was a break in the
green printed circuit ribbon that connected the compass to the DIC.
Sottered a jumper wire and all was good.

They may have changed them in the succeeding generations as I have never had my 96 apart to date.

As a start you should pull the cluster and inspect it.
Could be just a dirty pin in the electrical connector.

[SATADrive420]

Sounds like a bad solder joint. From what I've heard it happens a lot with these gauge clusters. Usually you can just reflow the solder joints and it will come back.

[skregal]

Well, I installed six new stepper motors on my Tahoe gauge cluster
a while back, so hopefully I can take this one apart and not totally
screw it up. We'll see. I'll report back what I find.