Chevrolet Repair: 2000 chevy silverado, chevy silverado, gas gauge

Question
MY FATHER IN LAW HAS A 2000 CHEVY SILVERADO WITH 25,000 MILES ON IT, YES JUST 25,000 MILES..HE DROVE IT ON A ROAD TRIP LAST WEEKEND FROM WASHINGTON TO IDAHO, UPON RETURNING THE TRUCK NOW MAKES A CLICKING NOISE WHEN YOU START AND THEN WHEN IT DOES START NONE OF THE GAUGES COME ON, YOU CAN'T SEE WHAT SPEED YOUR GOING, TEMPERATURE, GAS GAUGE, AND ETC, THERES AN ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR WHEN YOU START IT, AND THERE IS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE, WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE WRONG WITH IT?

Answer
sounds like something is wrong with the trucks computer.  It is located on the passenger side by the power steering pump.  if it has very low mileage and happened to get wet it may have shorted out internally.  This is the common thing on this year truck.  you may have to go to the dealer.
sorry I couldn't be of more help
jimmy