[knkreb]

Well folks, the answer is.... bad solder joint on the back of the instrument cluster.

Started out with no-start-no-run condition (no instruments either). Pulled the dash out - still no starter or run condition. Pulled the instrument panel out, plugged and replugged - instruments worked, engine started and ran. Unplugged the instrument panel - start and run okay. Next, turn to "on" in no-run condition, jiggled the connector in the back of the instrument cluster and connection would make and break. Ina break state, engine would start, run and shut down in 3 seconds. Ah ha! Pulled the plug, looked, checked the pins and bent the in the plug to make sure that there was no female plug issue. Plug back in - try again. In a break state, would start and die. Pulled the instument cluster, and pulled apart, found the connection pin to the black/green ground wire to have the smallest little hair line crack around it. Resoldered it, and the others too just in case, that had any traces to them. Reinstalled, jiggled the plug, could not replicate a break state this time. Test drove, all seems well now at the moment.