im having the intermitent problem with the guages not working and the no bus reading. i think it is the plug on the back of the cluster because i've wiggled every plug on the truck and nothing happens. is it possible to reach that plug with everything in place or does the dash need to be pulled to get to it.

 

The cluster has the plug built into it, when you pull the cluster out it unplugs.
All that has to be removed is the dash face.
Can't tell you how to do that without knowing the year of your truck, but it's easy no matter which year you have.

 

its a 2001. how do i remove the dash face?

 

Easy, you just pull it off, it's snapped on. Sometimes there is one screw next to the power supply cig lighter plug. You will also have to unplug both lighters after the cover is part way off.
Helps to tilt the steering wheel all the way down and if an auto pull the shifter all the way down into 1st.

 

A problem with any module on the bus can cause the "crash" you are experiencing. First thing I would do if the prob occured would be to see what modules, if any, I could communicate with. On an intermittant one like your, I would first unplug the abs module and see if the system "comes alive".

 

where is the abs module at?

 

i got the guages working. i pulled them out sprayed some contact cleaner on the connections put it together and i'm back in business. mabey now i wont get pulled over for speeding on my way home from work at 1 AM anymore cause i know how fast i'm going (those cop car spotlights are bright)