I have a 1998 Ram 1500 4x4 with the 5.2 and manual trans. My gauge cluster with tach is going bad .
My question is are the manual and automatic clusters the same? I know the automatic ones have the gear selection window on the bottom of the right side, where as the manuals have a black plastic block off plate in that spot. I looked on EBAY and that looks to be the only difference I can spot between the two?
It appears the plugs on the back are the same and looks as though the gear selection area unscrews and the block off plate on the manual one is interchangeable?

Thank you for any assistance

 

What seems to be the issue with your current cluster?

 

It has been going dead off and on for about 3 months , I took it to a local speedometer shop in the town I live and after leaving my truck with them for a couple of days they tested the cluster and associated wiring and advised me that the cluster was failing.

 

Do you get the "No Bus" error in the odometer when that happens?

 

That's odd. First issue I've ever heard about our clusters. Reminds me of the Chevy mid-00s where every cluster goes bad eventually. Keep us posted, OP.

 

Yeah, the digital fellers sucked.

 

Question, when you say it goes off, does the whole thing go off or just the tach, speedo or other guages?

Mine will drop the speedo from time to time, last time I took it out I messed with the pins in the back where the harness plugs in, been good for a while now. Apparently I had a bad connection at the plug.

 

Clusters are different.