Testing Instrument Cluster Voltage and Ground

If the warning lamps or gauges do not respond with the ignition on, then either battery voltage is not reaching the instrument cluster or the cluster is not properly grounded. With the battery negative (-) terminal disconnected, remove the instrument cluster as described in BODY AND INTERIOR and disconnect the wiring harness from the wire terminal housings. Reconnect the battery negative cable.

Use the current flow diagrams at the end of the section to identify the wire and terminal of the wiring harness which supplies power from the ignition switch. On printed circuits with two wire terminal housings, test at the short black connector of the harness. With the ignition switched on, use a volt meter or test light to check for voltage between the harness terminal and ground. If there is no voltage, check for voltage at terminal 15 of the ignition switch. If voltage is reaching the switch but the switch will not complete the circuit, then the ignition switch is faulty and should be replaced as described in SUSPENSION AND STEERING.