gauge cluster isnt working?
 

So I gutted my interior completely (no HVAV, Radio, Dash etc ) and attempted to simplify my dash harness and cut out everything I wasnt using anymore. Apparently I cut one to many things because now nothing on my cluster works, except the fuel level sender, and speed obviously which is a cable drive.

So I order a new harness, replace it, start the car, same problem. I have the four big plugs under the steering column, the three plugs into the cluster, the plug to the hazard/headlight, and the two grounds hooked up.

So my question, is there some circuit shared between one of the components I removed that is preventing the cluster from completing a circuit?

I am dumb with electrical but the above concept doesnt seem practical. I cant figure out why this wouldnt be working.

Any ideas?

Check the 10 amp meter fuse below your dash? I recently had a similar problem that cleared itself up nicely by switching that little bastard out.

10 is fine, 15 next to it was blown. Replaced it and no change. All the other fuses are fine too

How does the ground below the brake booster and clutch master look? I've heard cleaning that has helped with cluster/blinker issues. A bit of a pain to get to, but a 10 mm combo wrench did the trick for me. 10 or 12. I don't remember.

Looks fine I hit the bolt/metal tab/chassis with some sandpaper. No change. Also sanded the area where the dash bar bolts to the chassis to make sure it's grounded. Nothing.

HEY! things dont work unless they are plugged in!

I found a plug on the passenger side that I assumed was old HVAC stuff, but apparently it is dash harness to main harness connection. So all the gauges work now, but the backlight still doesnt work.

I read somewhere about a dimmer switch? I cant even remember what the dash looked like next to the wheel. Do they all have dimmers? Can i just jump a connector to simulate the dimmer?

can anyone ID these connectors? they are near the drivers side ground, I assume one of them was a dimmer. Any Idea how to jump one or will I just need to get a dimmer? (I threw away all the dash stuff I removed)

Nice. I forgot all about that connector. I did the same thing when I deleted my HVAC. Scared the piss outta me when I turned on the car. Thought I fried something. Lol no clue as to those connections bud. Sorry.

Just for future searchers sake, I bought a dimmer and plugged it into one of the above connectors. all is well