So, this is the 3rd or 4th time it has happened. The gas gauge is pegged full, the speedo and temp are bottomed out. The problem is intermittent, and the odometer continues to work. Has only lasted 50 miles and a few restarts at a time. Then, everything returns to normal. What is the cause behind the intermittent problem? I have a GPS, so the missing speedo is no problem, but the fuel gauge is annoying. Is there an idiot light that works independantly of the temp gauge that works when the gauge is inop?

 

Have you replaced the cluster? They're only $40 on eBay. Granted, you can't keep your mileage. But if you don't have a tach, you can get one with a tach and it would work.

Take out your current one and make sure it's completely connected. I had a few issues with mine when I didn't connect it all the way. The thing went NUTS.

 

Not sure if this would help but:

 

I cannot feel the wires for the back of the cluster from underneith like I can in my 83 ram. Are the connections accessable from the bottom, or do I have to remove it?

 

You would have to remove it. It's not that hard, really. Just take off the pillars on the sides, the top dash (two screws on the sides, and two in the defrost vent, you'll want a very short phillips screwdriver), and then you will have access to the cluster. Just take out the four screws holding it in, and it literally pops out with a little force. It sounds a lot harder than it is.