Help - No Gauges work

I have a 2002 Dodge Ram pickup and all the gauges on the steering column (gas gauge, temp gauge, etc) are all not working, all my idiot lights went on, the headlights are permanently on (if the truck is running),and the windshield wipers won't come on. Where the mileage is supposed to be, it reads no buS. I have already tried the fuses (relays). Please, someone tell me this is not something where I have to buy a new computer!!! :banghead: :crying:

This happens on my 1999 Ram 1500. I haven't located the exact cause but I found by hitting the dash with my hand under the steering column that all the gauges begin operating. I'm assuming a bad contact problem. But until I figure it out this "fix" works well.

does the vehicle run??

I found this in the "Durango " threads:

"No Bus", Loss of Power, dies, will re-start.

Crank position sensor will short 5 volt supply to grouynd causing PCM to shut down. Other sensors that can cause this are: CAM, TPS, MAP, TRANS. Range selector switch, these were all on the same "BUS" on the Durango.

The way it was explained to test this was to dis-connect the plug to the sensor and do a continuity test of the 5 volt wire to ground, KEY OFF AND OUT. If continuity, BAD, if not, GOOD.

If no shorted or grounded wires can be found, possibly PCM, PDM, or BCM.