I have literally just finished adjusting a mod that required removing and re-inserting that piece. Basically your gauges have an overlay, and then a clean plastic inner piece that the overlay sits on, and then a main computer board underneath. On that clear inner piece are little electric motors that control the needles, and each one has 4 metal prongs that stick into the main board underneath.
It's easy to disassemble the gauge cluster. First remove the dash and the 8 screws that hold the gauge cluster and cover onto the dash. Then pull the gauge cluster module straight out. It pushed into a couple plugs and it very easy to pull in and out.
Actually the easiest thing to check for is that the needle might be in too loose or too tight. Does it ever move? If so, does it move in sudden jumps? If that's the case the needles are probably too tight and getting these needles on perfectly is actually a major pain in the ass. I ended up cutting a 2 pronged fork out of a piece of cardboard, and then inserted the needle over that piece of cardboard and then pulled the carboard out so that I knew I had a gap between the needle and gauge overlay. Even doing that was tricky.
If the motors are shot then you can just remove and replace the entire inner plastic piece with the overlay. Since the overlay is taped on and trapped under the needles you might as well take all of it. Hell, it might even be just as easy to grab the entire gauge cluster unit. Junk yards should have lots of these things, but keep in mind that not all clusters are identical as there are minor differences between years and truck configurations.
im thinking you may be right Intense98rt, sensor. you know where it is located? or does anyone have or have a link to a diagram? or any pics? i also have two grey plugs not plugged to anything under my hood around the MC res. on the driver side. Not sure if that has anything to do with it lol.
