I bought the car with the tach not working and a few bulbs burnt out. I got a used auto cluster put it in. All lights worked, took it back out, swapped the tach and gas gauge over to my original cluster with all the bulbs. I still have the same problem. What I dont get is the 2 overhead bulbs, the main bulb works but (1) doesnt, so the temp and gas gauge at night are hard to see. The light in between the tach and speedo (2) works sometimes. I have found if I smack the dash once or twice the light comes on. The srs light (3) comes on and off, sometimes it seems like its linked to the light problem with (2). I am lost on what it could be, I have pulled the cluster rechecked all connections everything. So this is my last resort. Thanks in advance..

 

added a pic hope that helps

 

Some of the lights are in series...not sure exactly which ones...I know that the overheads definitely are so if you have issues with something early on in the series it can create all kinds of problems.

Have you tried to use some contact cleaner on the contacts where the wedge bulbs touch?

I had similar problems on my climate control and after a little bit of contact cleaner from radio shack and making sure all the bulbs were tightened up I was good to go *it's been about 6 months now*

 

no i didnt think of the cleaner. any recommendations on a cleaner? i know the over head is in series. but not sure on the tach/speedo

 

I don't remember what kind I got...I snatched it up from Radio Shack though...it might be their generic brand. Just go to a radio shack or a local computer shop, maybe even an office depot and they should have some.

If that doesn't work try getting a tiny flat-blade and bending the legs of the bulb up on the wedge a tiny little bit to ensure good contact....

...or say screw it and go full LED