I have a '97 Dakota and the gauges just started acting wierd. Sometimes all of the gauges will stop working. This also includes various "warning" lights (i.e. Security, Cruise, etc) coming on. Sometimes it will affect all the gauges, but sometimes it will just be 2 or 3 of them. They may go off and then come back on for a while, then go back off again as I'm driving. Or they may all just not work during the duration of the ride. I'm open to all suggestions. Thanks

 

Sounds like a short some where. The major problem is finding the short in the dash. I would replae the fuse for the gauges before I did anything. I had the same problem in a chevy blazer and it was the fuse was messed up. I have a question for you did you happen to hook a radio up to the dash light for the hot or even the ground?

 

No - I haven't hooked anything extra in the 1 1/2 years I've had it. The only accessory (already in the truck when I got it) was a trailer brake.

 

I'd check for loose or poor ground connections. Also check the main power distribution box. My electric brake controller shorted out and popped a fuse in the main box under the hood.

 

my brother in law had the same problem with his durango. it was the primary dashboard groundwire, wasnt grounded very well