Hello everyone. I have a 2003 Silverado 1500 4 wheel drive, automatic transmission, extended cab. Went to start my truck this week after it had set idle for several weeks. Would not start. Popped hood to find a huge pine straw nest on the driver’s side up against the firewall. Cleared the nest and pulled the battery. Battery showed 75% on my charger. I charged it to 100% and put it back in. Truck started but I had no dash panel warning lights or gauges working. Radio and heater controls all lite up and worked. Looked under hood for obvious breaks to wiring but did not see any. Drove it to my mechanic whose summary is as follows: “Check IPC not working and rodent nest behind power distribution box. Inspect all wiring at box. Could not find damaged wires. After moving box around IPC started working. No loose wires found. Ok now. May need IPC repair in future.” I drove the truck home and went to use it today. Truck started ok but no lights or gauges working. I have not had problems with the instrument panel in the past other than a very dim PRNDL light. (On my drive home yesterday I did notice the PRNDL display was now completely blacked out with not even a dim light although the rest of the dash was working.) I think the rodent got me. Do you think it is a ground wire? How would I trace it? Could I splice a new ground at the power distribution box or at some other point? I am not sure replacing the cluster would solve the problem. Your help is greatly appreciated. I need my truck!

 

Since you need it done fast, find an auto electrical specialist.
Doing this over the internet will be an exercise in frustration.

 

It is the weekend. I don’t mind being frustrated a little bit. Just hoping for guidance.

 

You will need a meter and schematics
https://www.aa1car.com/library/autom...l_circuits.htm

 

Mountainmanjoe, thanks for your responses. I have learned a lot. The truck goes back to the mechanic tomorrow.