Light cluster not working after tie up battery cable

Several thoughts, did you stop at a light or did it die while driving? Make sure that the battery cables are tight and clean. The positive cable are two cables tightened by one bolt. Make sure that connection is good.

Pull fuse if its not tied w a crucial component. Or git a the instrument cluster and take out bulb. May hav to break it.

just a thought but does your dash have a dimmer switch?as you've changed the cluster and its still not right it could be that.

To replace the blubs you have to take out the insterment cluster. This is done by romoving the light switch trim plate and disconnect the wirering harness. The remove the A/C heater control panel. Remove the plastic trim from around the insterment cluster. The unbolt and remove the insterment cluster and uplug the wires and the speedometer cable. This speedometer cables can be a pain in the **** but depress the spring clip and pull. The bulbs are accessed from the back of the cluster.
Bulbs in this cluster don't burn out very often and if none of the bulbs don't work it probley isn't the bulbs. In this cause make sure the dimmer switch is turned up if it is play with the switch see if the dash light flicker.
Oh also in the mauals they always tell you to disconnect battery when pulling electrial apart.

Could be that speedo cable has become disconnected or that the inner shaft has broken. The speed cable is connected between the back of the instrument cluster and the left side of the transmission. Check under the car that the cable is securely fitted to the side of the transmission. Disconnect it and and check on the condition of the square drive flexible shaft. The spinning of this inner shaft is what conveys the output shaft speed of the transmission to the instruments. The instrument cluster can be removed but pushing a length of coat hanger wire with right angle turn on its end between the the cluster and the dashboard surround. Turn the coat hanger to hook behind the cluster and pull forward to remove it. Try several points around the cluster. It is best to disconnect the speedo drive cable to withdraw the cluster (after electrical connections have been disconnected. check that the speedo cable is secure to the back of the instruments. If you remove the cluster completely follow the path of the speedo cable. If you have to replace the cable, tying a length of string to the speedo cable end first and posting the string down the cable path will help the re-installation enormously. Simply pull the string whilst reinstalling the instrument cluster until the end of the speedo can be got hold of. Refit the speedo cable to the transmission only after the instrument cluster is back in place.

The flashing theft light means the key is not programmed for the truck. Hard to believe that the key you are using does not have one, else there was the short cut method for a remote start ( program key, and cut the key part off and wire tie close to the PATS transceiver ).
You are going to need a higher end mechanic or lock smith to program the cluster with new keys to make it work again, there is no way around this function.

Same issue here. Is the missing instrument cluster to blame? Hopefully?

Probably too late but I had the same problem yesterday. Try changing your battery. It sounds crazy but it worked for me.

Below are some illustrations for the dash components and removal. Are you replacing the antenna coax or just checking the back of the radio.
Let me know.
Regards,



REMOVAL & INSTALLATION



See Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

1. If equipped, disable the SIR system, as outlined in of this guide.
2. If not done already, disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Unfasten the defroster grille retaining screw, then remove the grille.
4. To remove the instrument panel end-caps, for Cavalier, use a suitable prytool. Position the tool behind the cover and carefully pry outward. For the Sunfire, unfasten the end-cap retaining screws and remove the cap.

Fig. Fig. 1: Air distribution duct mounting-Cavalier shown



Fig. Fig. 2: Location of the air distribution duct mounting-Sunfire shown



Fig. Fig. 3: Detach the instrument panel lamp connector

1. For the Cavalier, remove the instrument panel trim pad.
2. Remove the instrument cluster trim plate.
3. As outlined in of this guide, remove the heater and A/C control panel.
4. Remove the radio assembly, as outlined in of this guide.
5. Unfasten the air distribution ducts.

Fig. Fig. 4: Instrument panel-to-tie bar attachments-Cavalier shown



Fig. Fig. 5: Instrument panel-to-tie bar mounting-Sunfire shown

1. Detach the instrument panel compartment lamp electrical connector.
2. Unfasten the screws to the tie bar, then remove the instrument panel from the tie bar.

To install:

1. Position the instrument panel to the tie bar, then secure with the retaining screws.
2. Attach the instrument panel compartment lamp connector.
3. Fasten the air distribution ducts.
4. Install the radio and the heater and A/C control.
5. Install the instrument cluster trim plate.
6. For the Cavalier, install the instrument panel trim pad.
7. Install the end caps.
8. Position the defroster grille, then secure with the retaining screw,
9. Enable the SIR system, if equipped. For details, please refer to the procedure located in of this guide.
10. Connect the negative battery cable.

either your battery isn't holding a charge, or your alternator isn't charging it.