So, I'm going to forget about the mystery wires for a while and get down to the more annoying problem. It'* a weird one. On my 1998 Chevy Cavalier 2.2 Stick, first thing in the morning when I try to start the car, only a couple of the dashboard lights come on, the fuel and temperature guages read exactly center, and the rpm guage doesn't work (that is, when I start the car, it doesn't move). The car acts like the security system is at fault because the car will start and run for a couple of seconds and then die, but the Anti-Theft light doesn't come on, doesn't blink - nothing.

But here'* the kicker - if I just leave the key in "run", after 2 1/2 minutes, the rest of the dashboard lights come on, including the Anti-Theft light, which is burning solid - not blinking - and then I can start the car just fine. After that, it starts and runs perfectly for the rest of the day. Next morning, same thing.

A little more info, this car has the Passlock security system, where the key is normal, but there'* a magnetic sensor built into the ignition lock cylinder, which also means that it is the dashboard which is responsible for reading the information from the lock and allowing the car to start. So, if the dashboard is only half-working, that'* probably why it'* acting like the security system is triggered. There'* been a few things I've already done to try to remedy the problem: Run through the Passlock reset procedure a whole bunch of times (30-minute procedure, 10-minute procedure, 2-minute procedure), clean the contacts to the Passlock module in the ignition cylinder, and clean the contacts to the dashboard.

Anybody else run into this kind of thing and know of a fix I'm not thinking of? Or do I have the unenviable chore of finding a new dashboard and replacing it? I appreciate any and all of your suggestions.

When first attempting to start the car in the morning

After 2 1/2 minutes with the key in "run"

Wow...M R Some high-quality photos I gave you all there. Sorry, but I think you get the idea.

Your instrument panel cluster (IPC) is having problems. It'* the main module used in the passlock system.

Yeah, I kinda figured that'* where the problem lies. Probably no "user serviceable parts" in there either. I did just have the dashboard apart today and tightened up the connector from the Passlock to the instrument panel, so I'll give it a couple of mornings to see if the problem persists.

I would take and pull it. Solder all the grounds and any joints that look cold.

Still fighting this one. I've since had the instrument cluster out and apart, checked it all for bad connections or cold/broken solders. Couldn't find anything. I also tried an experiment where I took a hair dryer to the instrument cluster, and it turned on really quickly. Much faster than when I just sit there with the key in run. Definitely a situation where something in there isn't making a connection until it'* warm. Given all that, I'm going to run off to the junkyard and see if I can get a new cluster. Ideally, I'll be able to just replace the board and keep the odometer. They're separate in this one.

You have a cold solder joint. Need to hit them with fresh.

Got it fixed! I was able to get out to the junkyard and find an instrument cluster off of a '97 Cavalier. I swapped just the circuit boards out (circuit boards are remarkable easy to pull out of the instrument cluster in these cars), which means I was able to keep the original odometer mileage. Worked like a charm! Dashboard comes on right away and the car starts with no security system issues.

Cool! Thanks for letting us know how it turned out!