The fuel and temperature gauges haven't been working when I turn the ignition on. When they both fail this is a sign that voltage regulator on the back of the instrument cluster has likely failed. This unit converts the 12V from the battery to 5V needed for the gauges and a new one is on it's way from RockAuto.com. Boy, those people have just about everything you need at the best price too, they ship it really quickly and don't rape you in delivery fees either.
After struggling for a couple of days I managed to get the instrument cluster out from the dash, the speedo drive was hooked on the wiring loom. In the process I manged to break off and lose, several of the pins from the circuit board. There are 10 pins, 5 on each side that control the various instrument and warning lights and you can't get new ones. Several internet forums suggest the following method to resolve this by soldering flying leads directly to the circuit board in place of the pins and using your own connector to replace the OEM one.
I opted for RadioShack 6 position connectors (part numbers 274-226 for the male and 274-236 for the female). I bought 5 reels of different color 18 gauge wire just to make it easier to match up to the factory wiring. using 12 inch lengths of wire, I soldered the male connector to the instrument cluster and the female to the wiring loom.
Several of the lamp holders and lamps were broken too, NAPA has the holders (part # ECH LS6501). New ones are on order along with new long life lamps.
