problem with dashboard - please help!

[domi]

Can't say i've had the same problem, but consider this. I had to take my dash out along with all the interiour today in a desperate attempt to achieve nothing in particular, but whilst doing that i gathered that the gauge cluster was actually connected with two large parallel connectors - one on the left, one on the right, both accessible on the front side. Each of them manage their respective halves of the cluster - when i plugged the left one, the tach and water pressure gauges came alive and all the other lights, the right one solved everything else. Hencewhy my guess is this - if the left connector is off, or crooked, or in some way askew, you'd have no indication on the left half and - possibly - the circuit left open could be either the reason for the fuses blowing or the reason for it to seem like they're blowing. Just a hunch, but it may be reason enough to check. The cluster is easily reached - you just disconnect the holding panel [take out the cables for the power mirrors [if available], window deicer and rear wiper, unscrew at least two bolts on the top and -i believe - two on the bottom] then take the dials for the wipers and lights off with a screwdriver and remove the plastic pseudonuts under them, pull out the panel et voila - both connectors are right in front of you! Check the left one - if it's properly connected, then it might be circuitry or it might in no way be connected to the cluster, in which case, i apollogise for wasting your time.