Instrument Cluster Problem????

My truck (99 Silverado 5.3 Z71 package) has been basically parked for a few months while i was working out of state and i'm working on getting everything back online with it but i've run into a problem i can't seem to figure out. The only gauges that work on it are the oil pressure and voltmeter. I checked the fuses for the cluster and they are good and I got a replacement cluster for it and it does the exact same thing. Also worth noting is the fact that the message center doesn't display anything. When first turning the key on sometimes the check engine light will come on and sometimes it doesn't, but none of the resxt of the idiot lights come on when i just turn the key forward. If anyone has ever heard of this problem please let me know what direction to head in.

Thanks,
Jake

Check out my thread below. My problem appears to have been with the cluster but I thought it was a ground. Yours sounds like it could be a ground. There are several around the engine bay including one on the back side of the engine that could be the culprit.

Took my about 4-5 hours of total diagnositcs until I lucked upon the cure for my problem so trhese can be a real PITA to find.

Good luck!