Try 2

I don't know if the instrument cluster is shot of if there is something going on with the ignition switch.

Instrument cluster not registering anything except check engine light, low fuel light, cruise, ABS light. The gauges and odometer not working. Did the hold trip reset key switch thing and nothing displayed (display was blank) no gauge sweep. parts store read computer and only thing it showed was a bad O2 sensor that went bad last year.

If I move key from off to run very fast (takes several tries) and get lucky the gauges will move to their starting position. Once I start the truck no gauges, no odometer, and just the lights mentioned before.

That is what makes me think it is a bad ignition switch. Is there a common power to instrument cluster / odometer? If it was a ground wouldn't that affect the lights?

I've check and replaced the fuse on driver side of dash. Checked under hood in fuse box. Removed and cleaned the ground on driver's side kick panel. Removed and reseated the main wiring harness in driver's floor.

Anybody got any ideals.

Kilgore

 

It does sound like an ignition switch problem. There are different circuits on it. I do not have a wiring diagram for a '97 so can't be specific.

The display itself is a computer, the tach, fuel, oil, volts, speedo, temp, and most of the warning lights are driven off of the CCD bus.

 

took cluster apart nothing to reseat except connections on back.

took steering column apart. reseated both wire connections on ignition switch.
took out 3 small secure torx screws that held a cover on the switch must have been something else holding it on.
couldn't completely remove the cover. didn't have electric cleaner so sprayed pb blaster on what i could.
turned the key a few times. the fuel gauge did raise a lot more times than it did before i started.

think i (we) could get in on that gm key switch recall?

will have to get some electric contact cleaner tomorrow and waste a can.
maybe some ether or brake parts cleaner.

got a haynes book but it don't give much

if i could find the circuit i'd just hook up a toggle and be done with it.

 

The ignition switch itself (aka "Starter Switch" for some strange reason) isn't really that much at RockAuto - around $42 give or take.

RwP

 

found this

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...9/va087884.pdf

 

It doesn't show much of the ignition switch and are you sure it's a '97?

Start with fuse #10 in the junction block. See if it has power in run and start.

Pin #1 on the cluster, the white wire, is the only one showing a connection to the ignition switch. Check to see when it has power. It seems to feed the ABS too.

 

sprayed the switch with electric connector cleaner sit for 2 hr no help

did find this

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...2018.35.46.png

testing switch next

weird as i pulled off road into parts store lot (2 hard lefts) the all gauges started working. came back out nothing.

 

Tilt wheel or not?

 

Tilt and I tilted that MFer every which way

Where is the ground connection G100?
Is it up by battery and radiator?

 

You may have a wiring problem in the column.

Hopefully someone else has a wiring diagram and can find G100.