2003 Alero intermittent dash

The dash displays and controls are intermittent on my 03 alero. It started with the cruise control. The on/off switch works, but the speed would not set. This problem would come and go, as some days it works, and some not. Later, the entire dash display stopped working intermittently. The car starts and runs fine, but all the gauges read zero, and the A/C, cruise, and the internal/external air switch do nothing. Also, the mileage display is dark. Sometimes they start working as the car is being driven, and sometimes they just work when the car is started. Any ideas?

It may sound like premature failure but a defective ignition switch could give those symptoms. Also, I recall someone having problems with the engine compartment fuse box and wiring.

my wifes 2002 alero is doing the exact same thing. Please let me know if you find the problem!