non-working dashboard warning lights - where do I go from here?
 

I removed my instrument cluster this weekend to repair the odo gear. While I was at it, I checked for blown bulbs and I found a few. My problems are this - several of my warning lights do not light up when the key is on - brake fluid and brake pad, engine oil level, engine oil pressure, and coolant temp. I replaced the bulbs with known good ones to no avail. My alternator warning light works, my seatbelt light works, the airbag light works and the parking brake works. Any suggestions? I am sure that the wiring harnesses are connected properly and I did not find any torn/broken pieces on the cirbuit board.

Thanks

You may have damaged the connections on the later instrument cluster flexable circuit. Pull it out and keep it connected with the key and/or lights on as you turn the bulb bases.

Yours is completly different than mine, but here is a though. On my 81 924 all of those warning lights share a common ground. If that ground wire is disconected than none of my warning lights will work. Also do the dash lights work? I am not familiar with the 951 but have you checked the fuses?

hmmm...I like the ground idea. I noticed when I ripped out an aftermarket alarm this week that it used a factory female spade ground wire under the dash. Maybe they robbed one of the dash grounds. Of course, there are no actual wires that go to the dash on my car - it only has that circuit ribon gizmo which is probably not grounded in a conventional way. Food for thought though.

Does anyone know if the low oil pressure light is controlled by the sensor on the engine or another relay or both? My oil pressure sensor/sender is showing signs of wear (pegs at top and bouncing).

Both the gauge and warning light are controlled by the oil pressure sender.

Still if you have a bad instrument cluster or a bad connection to/in the cluster you will get the problems you describe.