Pontiac Repair: 1996 Grand Am Instrument Cluster, fuel gauge, lock cylinder

Question
I have a 1996 Grand AM SE with a couple of issues.  Mainly, none of the gauges work.  They were all working when I bought the car but stopped one day while the car was being driven.  One repair shop says it may be the computer but they are not sure.  I read one of your posts that says it may be tied to a faulty ignition switch which is the second problem.  The car can be started without a key so I know the switch needs to be replaced.  Can this be the cause of the inoperative gauges as well?  All of the lights on the instrument cluster work, just none of the gauges including the fuel gauge work.

Answer
Hi Tom:

I don't think the problems are related. the ignition lock cylinder is bad that's why it turns over without a key. I don't belive this is an ignition switch issue due to the fact that the indicators work would indicate that the cluster has power going to it. It's more then likley an issue withing the cluster it's self. If the service engine soon abs and SIR lamps work and turn on when the key is turned on and then go out when the car is running would mean it's gettein data into the cluster from the other modules which sort of rules out a communication line issue. the modules in this car all "talk to each other" if you have a communcation data line issue it would cause the gauges to not work. Does this car have a water leak in it? If it does chances are that the air bag module under the r/f seat could be the issue here. I have seen the aig bag module fill up with water and cause this same issue but usually the warning lamps are on on the cluster and never tirn off.  Good luck :)