When you say the turn signals work, do you mean the turn indicators in the instrument cluster? How about the high beam indicator and the low washer fluid indicator? These are the only items in the cluster that are 'hard wired' (don't rely on the power from the instrument cluster), besides the illumination lamps that come on with the headlights. Do the illumination lamps work?

All other inputs to the instrument cluster come from other modules (PCM, TCM, ACM, CTM, etc) through the PCI bus. But according to the manual, if communication with the PCI bus is lost, the odometer area will show a NO BUS message. Full time battery power to the instrument cluster comes through fuse 1 and ignition power comes from fuse 8 in the junction box (left end cap of the dashboard). Power for caution lights and gauges comes from fuse 14 - power to run them, not the indications.

Ground points come from grounds in the left kick panel, near the CTM, and from the ground point on the inner fender well forward of and below the battery. If fuses are all good (pull them and visually check them and inspect the slots they plug into) and grounds are good, your instrument cluster may be bad.

 

All fuses good interior and under hood.
On forums I found following suggestions. Replace ignition switch.

Did you actually ohm the fuses out with a meter or did you just give them a look-see? Always good to actually ohm them out.

As far as the ignition switch, it looks as if in there are 14 numbered switch terminals in the switch and in 'run' you should have continuity between 2 & 3, 3 & 4, 14 & 7, 11 & 9, 1 & 8, 12 & 10. I guess you could pull the switch and make those checks to rule out the ignition switch as a possible cause.

I remember a thread a while back ago on another Dakota forum in which the OP would lose his cluster functions on an intermittent basis (however it continued to run fine) and it seemed as if it was temperature related. He actually was (unlike you) getting a NOBUS message, and if I remember, the codes he was pulling up when he did the cluster diagnostic test (which isn't working on yours) pointed him towards replacing his cluster, which he did (from ebay) which solved his issue.

 

 

Thanks for your input. Yes, the turn indicators on cluster work, along with illumination lamps when headlights are on. Truck starts, operates normally. Odometer remains blank. Does not show NO BUS and the cluster check operation does not work. The ground points check good with multi-meter. Checked all fuses as good, however did not actually pull them to check slots. Will do that next.
Appreciate thorough and helpful description.

 

Thanks again for your most helpful input. Yes, I used an ohm meter to check fuses, but went back and double checked the ones you recommended, and they are good. Also pulled the ignition switch and checked the contacts as you outlined, and the switch checks good! So, it looks like a trip to pick a part, possibly tomorrow to look for a cluster. The only thing I don't like is the inaccurate odometer reading I will end up with. I had 164,000 at this point.
I would give you a 5-star rating if there was such a thing on this site.

 

Update: After visiting wrecking yard, I found instrument clusters that looked bad, while mine is in nice clean physical condition. Considering costs, potential a used one did not work, I decided to go for repair. Took mine into Tacoma Speedometer. They repaired it in one day. Replaced some components (capacitors) and repaired two traces in circuit board that had lost connection. Cost $250 but I have original nice condition cluster with correct miles on odometer and everything works great!

 

i had the same problem on my 01 Dakota 4x4.all grounds were good, fuses good connectors good.itried for weeks to fix it including new panel but no luck, ignition switch change didn't do anything. Finally i ran a ground wire from the battery to the block direct and then joined the existing grounds thae same way. Suddenly everything began to work,i didconnected the ground i added and put everything back as it was, everything still worked as it should, its just the block wasn't grounding so the instrument panel wouldn't work, its been a year and still it all works great

 

Thanks for the follow up. Good to read you've got it fixed.

 

I have similar issue with my 1997 SLT. Except my odometer is slowly flashing the mileage. Security, low washer fluid and low gas light are all on steadily. Backlight works, brights indicator works. Turn signal indicators work. Any suggestions? Fuse 11 looks good as well

 

im right where you are with mine,i even ran new ground wires, still nothing but once in a while it will work for about 30 seconds and the shift indicator goes thru all the gears continually but the transmission isn't effected.i replaced ignition, panel all fuses and nothing, if you get an answer let me know