So last summer I started having issues with my gauges cutting out whenever it rained or whenever I washed my car. All of the gauges and lights stop working except for the turn signals and background illumination. It now happens whenever the snow on my car melts and it did once last summer when it was extremely humid. I've read through many forum posts and haven't found anything to work yet.

Things I've Tried

-Greased Connectors with Dielectric Grease (didn't work)
-New Connectors Wired in (didn't work)
-Checked for Leaks along Windshield (nothing)

Are there any common places for these wires to short in the engine compartment? I know there isn't any water getting into the passenger side of the firewall. Could it be a bad ground? And if so, where is it grounded? I've tried tracing it but have yet to figure it out.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

The instrument cluster is grounded at G108.


G108 is hidden up under the dash on the far left side.


There's other circuits grounded here as well.


Do you have any other circuits shut down at the same time as your instruments?

 

Haven't lost any others, so far it's just the gauges. I'll pull apart the dash again later today to see if i can't find it. Is the ground towards the top or down lower?

 

G108 is on the lower side.


You should be able to determine if the ground wire(s) are secure at G108 by using an Ohmmeter at the ground pins at the cluster connectors and at a bare spot on the dash structure. Wiggle the wire harnesses under the driver's side dash while checking for continuity.

Did you replace both cluster connectors or just C2?

Here's a pic of the cluster connector pin outs. Note that power to the cluster is at C1. Power comes from fuse F9 in the JB and the IOD fuse in the PDC.





Check fuse F9 in the JB for security and corrosion.

 

I replaced both connectors, I'll have to test the pins when I get back home in a month seeing as I don't have an ohmmeter with me at school (college student) Is there any possibility that it could be the control module at the front drivers side of the engine bay? I have a feeling that it's on that side of the firewall since it only happens when the car gets wet.