'97 grand am lost all dash instruments at same time

[racoondp]

One day, all at same time my gauges / instruments on the dash panel quit working...even the speedometer! There are a few lights stay on constantly-battery, low fuel, and a small red light blinks beside the right side temp gauge. All the indicator needles register zero- like it would be when ignition is off, they don't even move when you turn the ignition on.
The dash panel back-lighting works...no fuses blown anywhere (tested all, even changed to be sure-BUT no difference, still don't work). I looked in the manual, it makes a reference to the headlights 'auto on safety feature' & some sort of sensor but doesn't explain how this might be checked, or what to check/repair.... SOooo... ....as yet we are clueless to find anything wrong to be causing this problem.....any suggestions?
I never go far, so I can guess at the speed but it would be NICE to have my temp/oil/gas/other gauges working.

[andretti]

Since the engine and transmission are working fine I would pull the cluster and disconnect-power it down then try reinstalling it. It has its own computer called the Instrument Panel Module (IPM). There is a 10amp "INST" fuse in the inside fuse panel but removing the cluster would also allow you to reseat the connectors.