Cadillac Repair: I guess it would have to do with something electrical, digital gages, wireing diagram

Question
We have a 1991 Cadillac Deville and the other day the digital gages for the heater and the fuel went dead. And I smelt something that was a familiar smell to and could not think what it was, then i got into the car again and remembered that smell. I smelt it to many times when I was in the service, it smells like a burnt circuit board. What do you think it might be and how much might it cost to fix? Thank You Very Much

Answer
Hi Robert, When a panel goes dark like yours have it could be that the fuel panel, temp panel, a/c programmer or body computor is at fault. What you need to do is first unplug the fuel panel with the key off and then turn the key on and see if the other panel lights. If it does then replace that panel. If not turn the key off, plug it back in and unplug the other one and turn the key on. Replace that panel if the other one lights. Then plug both panels in and disconnect the programmer. If it lights then the prog. is bad. If still nothing then you will need to take it to the shop or get a wireing diagram to test for the correct voltages comming from the BCM. As for price it just depends on what part went bad but expect to spend at least $150 or more per part at the dealer. What I would do is get a replacement part at the auto recycler/junkyard and make sure it works first because it should be fine and the price will be alot less. This is an area of the car, electrical repairs, that are kind of tricky to find the problems but maybe smelling the parts you can determine what one is smoked. Hope that helps. Bill