Ok, I was installing an amp switch and a wire accidentally touched the metal frame near the ebrake with a wire. I know, BIG dumb mistake . After I got everything back together, the cluster doesn't work at all. None of the gauges work, the ABS and BRAKE lights are on, and the side buttons to control the 1st gauge in the center of the dash aren’t working at all.

I checked ALL fuses in both the battery compartment and down by the drivers seat and they were all ok. Right now I've got the battery disconnected and am waiting on trying a reset I.

Anyone have any ideas what exactly happened or how to fix it? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

what did it smell like?

 

Everything smelled just fine- I didn't notice and electronic fried smell or anything

 

It sounds like either you missed a blown fuse or there is a relay fried or a fusible link popped. Do you have a copy of the Service Manual to use to trace the power circuits?

 

Well, I'll double check every fuse I can find and see if I find anything. Yes I have an electonic copy of a service manual. I can try tracing the wires I tapped into and seeing what fuse they run on. I guess my biggest fear is if i fried the ECU or some control board.

I guess I was more just wondering if anyone else had the same issue with all gauges dying and what could have caused it. I've also searched and read every relating thread I can find. And I reallllly don't want to take it to the dealership because I'm only powertrain warrenty now:\

 

What wire touched bare metal?

 

Sounds to me like your **** is all disconnected. When I disconnected my Gauges Navi and Center Console to install an amp. Thats exactly what would happen when I turned the car on. Think you missed a plug. Recheck the plugs for gauges and the Navi.

 

I seriously doubt you fried anything with a short spark off a live wire touching metal. If the was layed up against it long enough to cause damage you would have smelt smoke. As mentioned above, recheck your connections make sure everything is good to go. Sounds like something isn't plugged in if your fuses aren't popped. (not to mention the fuses would pop before something would fry)

 

The only wiring I know of that powers the guage cluster is the one directly behind them, so I don't even see how any wiring near the parking brake would even relate to the cluster guage wiring.

 

That white amp box with the ribbon cable plays an important part
Check the ribbon cable connection under the shifter cover

 

I believe the ribbon cable is for the A/C controls.

 

More info

 

Ok everyone thanks!!! The white box was it for sure. I figured it out after tearing everything apart again. The short on the amp wire had nothing to do with it. Somehow the far right wire harness on back of the white box in the center of the dash was unplugged. No- I didn't unplug it at all on purpose. Must have been an accident while trying to fit everything back together. Just for everyone's future knowledge- thats the harness for the cluster for sure!

Thanks again all. God I love my Z, even when shes being a b****

 

Good find